Resource Highlights: Herpes Simplex Virus
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| Please note our top tips and resource highlights, related to the clinical management of health conditions, are designed to be introductory, aimed at clinicians, and not standalone guidance. Always refer to peer-reviewed clinical guidance including published Nice guidelines.
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Herpes Simplex Virus
Though common and self-limiting in older children and adults, herpes simplex viral infection can cause a spectrum of neonatal disease from simple lesion to devastating encephalitis. How can we identify babies at risk and provide appropriate treatment?
Please note our top tips are designed to be introductory, aimed at clinicians, and not standalone guidance. Always refer to peer-reviewed clinical guidance including published Nice guidelines.
Contributors:Dr Emma Lim Consultant Paediatrician | Great North Children’s Hospital in Newcastle upon Tyne Dr Christo Tsilifis Clinical Fellow, Academic Paediatric Trainee | Great North Children’s Hospital in Newcastle upon Tyne |
1. Think Hands And No Kisses
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2. Consider HSV infection in any sick babyEven without maternal history of infection – it is rare, but treatable. Clues include abnormal Liver Function Tests (LFTs), disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), or abnormal focal neurology. |
3. Empowering patientsEmpower pregnant women to speak to their midwives and obstetricians about HSV infection, particularly if there has been previous genital herpes. Vertical transmission is the most common way for babies to contract HSV. |
4. Consider HSV infection in women around deliveryThink about HSV infection in women with severe vaginal pain or fever with negative Group B streptococcus cultures, particularly around the time of delivery. |
5. Time to testTo test for HSV, send viral PCRs from any lesions or mucosal surface, from EDTA blood, and from cerebrospinal fluid. Treat with acyclovir until results are back. Your result is only as good as the swab you take. |
Relevant informationThe Kit Tarka Foundation. T-H-A-N-K-SThe Lullaby Trust |
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About the contributors:
Dr Emma Lim Consultant Paediatrician
Emma Lim is a Consultant in General Paediatrics and Paediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology at the Great North Children’s Hospital in Newcastle upon Tyne and Paediatric Sepsis Lead for the trust. She has worked regionally and nationally with the Academic Health Science Network, and the Sepsis Trust to increase awareness and develop sepsis pathways. She is an investigator in the EU PERFORM and DIAMONDS Horizon 2020 study to improve management of febrile patients and is the course lead for the RCPCH How to Manage: Paediatric Sepsis series.
Dr Christo Tsilifis Clinical Fellow, Academic Paediatric Trainee
Christo Tsilifis is a Paediatric Trainee and Academic Clinical Fellow at the Great North Children’s Hospital in Newcastle upon Tyne.Found an issue? Please get in touch with us:
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