Therapy for HSV- 2 encephalitis?

Patient in coma

Answers:
HSE is a very serious illness and can have devastating effects on the brain, specifically the regions responsible for memory and executive planning and organisation. I am not clear how long your loved one has been in coma and whether it is medically induced. In interim sensory stimulation might help you to engage with your loved one. Please go to the links listed below for more information on Herpes Simplex Encephalitis. You may also wish to join the following website:

http://www.anoxicinjury.com

Registration is free and there are over 400 members with loved ones who have suffered an anoxic brain injury for a number of reasons including encephalitis. There is a great deal of medical information on therapy and rehabilitation in coma and lowered awareness. All the best.

IV acyclovir 10mg/kg x 2-3 weeks.
Only on rare occasion, Encephalitis occur as a complication to Herpes simplex virus 2
The goals of treatment are to provide supportive care and relieve symptoms. Antiviral medications may be prescribed for herpes encephalitis or other severe viral infections. Most of the time, however, no specific antiviral drugs are available to combat the infection.
Reliably tested specific antiviral agents are available only for a few viral agents (e.g. aciclovir for herpes encephalitis) and are used with limited success for most infection except herpes simplex encephalitis. In patients who are very sick, supportive treatment, such as mechanical ventilation, is equally important.
Anti-seizure medications (such a phenytoin) are used to suppress seizures. On rare occasions, potent anti-inflamatory drugs called steroids (such as dexamethasone) are used to reduce brain swelling.
Sedatives may be needed to treat irritability or restlessness. Other medications, like acetaminophen, may be used for fever and headache.Supportive care (rest, nutrition, fluids) allows the body to fight the infection. Reorientation and emotional support of confused or delirious persons may be helpful.
If brain function is severely affected, interventions like physical therapy and speech therapy may be necessary after the acute illness is controlled.
Please see the webpages for more details on Herpes simplex virus (Genital Herpes) and Encephalitis.
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