Diagnosis, follow-up and treatment of herpes simplex virus encephalitis in intensive care unit: Case report

Although its treatment is available, complication incidence, probability of permanent neurologic sequel and rate of mortality are still high in herpes simplex virus encephalitis (HSVE). Early diagnosis and prompt antiviral therapy are essential to improve prognosis and to prevent severe neurologic complications. Here we wanted to present a 46 years old female patient hospitalized at the infectious diseases service with the pre-diagnoses of tuberculosis meningoencephalitis and herpes simplex virus encephalitis (HSVE) was then admitted to intensive care unit upon loss of consciousness and respiratory failure. The patient was discharged at the 102 nd day. We believe that early diagnosis and treatment of HSVE cases at intensive care units with a multidisciplinary approach may decrease morbidity and mortality significantly.