Treatment:

Herpes virus infections in infants are generally treated with medicine given through a vein (intravenous). Acyclovir is the most common antiviral medicine used for this purpose. A course of several weeks may be required.

Other therapy is often needed to treat the effects of herpes infection, such as shock or seizures.

Expectations (prognosis):

Infants with systemic herpes or encephalitis often have poor outcomes, despite antiviral medications and early treatment.

Infants with skin disease may have recurrences after therapy is finished. The recurrences put them at risk for learning disabilities, and may need to be treated.

Complications:

• Bacterial or fungal infection of skin lesions
• Coma
• Death
• Developmental delay
• Excessive bleeding, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
• Eye problems (chorioretinitis, keratitis)
• Gastrointestinal problems, including diarrhea
• Hepatitis
• Jaundice
• Liver failure
• Lung problems including pneumonia or pneumonitis
• Brain and nervous system (neurological) problems
• Respiratory distress
• Seizure
• Shock
• Skin lesions

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you have had a baby and think that you might have herpes, or have had it in the past.

If your baby has any symptoms of birth-acquired herpes, including skin lesions alone, have the baby seen by your health care provider promptly.