Una diagnosi tutt'altro che simplex

Herpetic encephalitis is the leading cause of sporadic encephalitis, with high mortality despite early treatment. The paper reports the case of a 10-year-old boy who presented with fever, vomiting and headache, initially treated for gastroenteritis. The onset of disorientation and speech difficulties led to a diagnosis of Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 encephalitis. Despite acyclovir therapy, the course was complicated by massive cerebral haemorrhage. This case emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and prompt treatment.