About Congenital Herpes Simplex
Key Highlights
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Early and accurate diagnosis by a skin specialist is vital for initiating life-saving treatment.Prompt antiviral therapy can significantly reduce mortality and severe neurological complications.Dermatologists provide expert care for the characteristic skin, eye, and mucous membrane lesions.Management helps prevent the spread of the infection to other organs like the brain and liver.Specialized follow-up care monitors for potential long-term skin or neurological issues.
Who is this surgery for?
- Newborn with vesicular skin rash, especially if mother has a history of genital herpes.
- Infant presenting with fever, lethargy, poor feeding, and suspicious skin blisters or erosions.
- Suspected herpes infection of the eye (keratoconjunctivitis) in a neonate.
- Signs of possible herpes simplex encephalitis, such as seizures or irritability, with accompanying skin findings.
- Diagnostic confirmation required when congenital infection is suspected based on clinical presentation.
How to prepare
- Immediate neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission is typically required.
- Collection of samples for diagnostic tests (e.g., viral culture, PCR from vesicle fluid, CSF).
- Stabilization of the infant's vital signs and general condition.
- Consultation with a pediatric infectious disease specialist and neurologist is coordinated.
- Informed consent from parents or guardians for diagnostic procedures and treatment initiation.
Risks & possible complications
- Progression to severe, life-threatening disseminated infection affecting multiple organs.
- Development of herpes simplex encephalitis, leading to long-term neurological disability.
- Localized complications like skin scarring or secondary bacterial infections of lesions.
- Potential side effects from intravenous antiviral medications (e.g., renal toxicity).li>
- Risk of recurrent skin outbreaks later in life.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Initial recovery occurs in the NICU with close monitoring of vital signs and organ function.
- Intravenous antiviral therapy is typically administered for 14-21 days.
- Skin lesions are kept clean and dry to prevent secondary infection and promote healing.
- Regular follow-up with pediatric dermatology, neurology, and ophthalmology is essential.
- Parents are educated on signs of recurrence and long-term developmental monitoring needs.
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Typical hospital stay: 14-21 days
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Expected recovery time: Several weeks to months (for initial hospitalization and monitoring)
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering congenital herpes simplex in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for congenital herpes simplex in India include Manipal Hospital Jaipur, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform congenital herpes simplex. MediFyr helps you compare dermatologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for congenital herpes simplex compare across other countries where we have data.
| Country | Estimated cost range | Typical stay | Recovery time | View details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | INR 150 Thousand – 500 Thousand | 14-21 days | ~ Several weeks to months (for initial hospitalization and monitoring) | Know More |
| Turkey | TRY 525 Thousand – 1.75 Million | 14-21 days | ~ Several weeks to months (for initial hospitalization and monitoring) | Know More |
Top hospitals for Congenital Herpes Simplex in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated dermatology teams and experience managing patients undergoing congenital herpes simplex.
Sai Nair, a 28-year-old software engineer,...
Sai Nair, a 28-year-old software engineer, was a first-time mother to a beautiful 10-day-old baby girl, Anika. Her joy was shattered when she noticed a cluster of tiny, fluid-filled blisters on Anika's scalp, which quickly spread to her face. Anika became lethargic and had a low-grade fever. Terrified, Sai rushed her to the pediatrician, who immediately recognized the signs of neonatal herpes and admitted Anika to the NICU. A dermatologist was consulted and confirmed it was Congenital Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), likely transmitted during delivery. The doctor recommended immediate intravenous antiviral therapy (Acyclovir) for a minimum of 14 days to prevent devastating complications like encephalitis or disseminated disease. The treatment experience was agonizing for Sai; watching her newborn connected to IV lines in an incubator filled her with immense guilt and fear. She blamed herself, despite having no known history of herpes. After two weeks, Anika responded well, the lesions crusted over and healed without scarring, and her energy returned. The emotional journey was from profound guilt and terror to cautious, immense relief. While Anika recovered fully, Sai was left with lingering anxiety and a new, hyper-vigilant approach to her daughter's health, forever marked by the traumatic start to their life together.
Dermatologists for Congenital Herpes Simplex
Explore experienced dermatologists who regularly perform congenital herpes simplex and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 32 Years Experience
- Dermatologist
- 30 Years Experience
- Dermatologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 30 Years Experience
- Dermatologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 21 Years Experience
- Dermatologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 10 Years Experience
- Dermatologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 9 Years Experience
- Dermatologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 9 Years Experience
- Dermatologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 7 Years Experience
- Dermatologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 7 Years Experience
- Dermatologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 6 Years Experience
- Dermatologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 3 Years Experience
- Dermatologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 21 Years Experience
- Dermatologist
Manipal Hospital Mukundapur, Kolkata
- 7 Years Experience
- Dermatologist
Manipal Hospital Kanakapura Road, Bangalore
- 25 Years Experience
- Dermatologist
Manipal Hospital Salt Lake, Kolkata
- 5 Years Experience
- Dermatologist
Manipal Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon
- 8 Years Experience
- Dermatologist
Manipal Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon
- 40 Years Experience
- Dermatologist
Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore
- 25 Years Experience
- Dermatologist
Manipal Hospital Salt Lake, Kolkata
- 26 Years Experience
- Dermatologist
Manipal Hospital Doddaballapur, Bangalore
- 43 Years Experience
- Dermatologist
Manipal Hospital Salt Lake, Kolkata