Herpes Simplex virus (HSV) is the most common cause of fatal sporadic necrotising viral encephalitis. The incidence is two cases per million people per year. They are associated with high mortality and morbidity without proper treatment. We report a case 46 years old with clinical features suggestive acute encephalitis. Despite various modalities of investigations for diagnosis of HSV are available, it posed a challenge. On the other hand two of the rare complication of HSV infection, myoclonic epilepsy and rhabdomyolysis occurred in this patient despite prompt initiation of the treatment.

Keywords: Herpes Simplex virus, Encephalitis, myoclonus, rhabdomyolysis, status epilepticcus, acute kidney injury.   

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Dr Saravana Bharathy SP

Post graduate, Department of general medicine, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute