title: Treatment of herpes simplex virus infections in pediatric patients: current status and future needs.
abstract: Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) are members of the Herpesviridae family and are characterized by their ability to establish latency after primary infection and subsequently reactivate. HSV infections in the neonatal and pediatric populations range from uncomplicated mucocutaneous diseases to severe, life-threatening infections involving the central nervous system (CNS). The antiviral agent acyclovir has significantly improved treatment outcomes of HSV infections, including the frequency of mucocutaneous recurrences and mortality associated with CNS and disseminated infections.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: James
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Whitley
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000821:virology; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D012008:Recurrence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014775:Virus Activation; D017735:Virus Latency
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents