Herpes simplex encephalitis resulting in neurologic sequelae: A case report

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is the most common cause of sporadic viral encephalitis. Fever, impaired consciousness, and focal neurological findings are typical clinical features of HSV encephalitis. Herpes simplex virus encephalitis often progresses with focal edema, necrosis, and hemorrhage in the temporal and frontal lobes. Sudden onset fever and symptoms suggestive of temporal lobe involvement are typical clinical features of HSV encephalitis. The mortality rate is high in untreated cases. Permanent neurological sequelae can be seen even in cases treated appropriately and in a timely manner. The gold standard in definitive diagnosis is the detection of HSV-deoxyribonucleic acid in the cerebrospinal fluid by polymerase chain reaction. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging is the best imaging modality for the diagnosis of HSV encephalitis. In this case report, we represent a 62-year-old male patient with HSV encephalitis who developed pneumonia and acute deep-vein thrombosis during treatment.