A 55-year-old man on ICU has acute liver failure from herpes simplex hepatitis. He has a fever, markedly elevated transaminases (ALT 8500 U/L), and ve...

Question

A 55-year-old man on ICU has acute liver failure from herpes simplex hepatitis. He has a fever, markedly elevated transaminases (ALT 8500 U/L), and vesicular skin lesions. CSF is normal. What is the specific treatment?

Accepted Answer

IV aciclovir 10 mg/kg TDS - herpes simplex hepatitis is a rare but fulminant cause of ALF with >80% mortality without treatment; early IV aciclovir is essential

Answer

Oral aciclovir 400 mg TDS

Answer

IV ganciclovir

Answer

IV fluconazole

Answer

No specific treatment exists

uk-fficm MCQ (SBA): Herpes Simplex Hepatitis

A 55-year-old man on ICU has acute liver failure from herpes simplex hepatitis. He has a fever, markedly elevated transaminases (ALT 8500 U/L), and vesicular skin lesions. CSF is normal. What is the specific treatment?