Hepatitis Due to Herpes Simplex Virus in a Nonpregnant Patient: Treatment with Acyclovir

A previously healthy 19-year-old nonpregnant woman had disseminated infection with herpes simplex virus. The disseminated disease was accompanied by hepatitis. The patient was treated with parenteral acyclovir (5 mg/kg) given every 8 hr. The patient's symptoms resolved after three days of therapy. A review of five similar cases that were observed in healthy nonpregnant and nonimmunosuppressed individuals showed that all five patients died. Thus, rapid diagnosis of this potentially fatal condition is important, and the possible use of acyclovir for such cases should be considered.