An 18-day old infant who was born healthy became lethargic and stopped feeding. She was rushed to the hospital when she became unresponsive and her parents could not wake her up. At the hospital, she was diganosed with meningitis (inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord). The causative agent of the child's illness was determined to be herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Both parents were tested for the virus but were negative. The doctors involved in the case concluded that the baby had likely contracted the virus at about a week old after being been touched or kissed by an infected friend or family member who may have been asymptomatic or who had a cold sore. Despite the efforts of doctors, the baby died. Typical signs and symptoms of HSV-1 infection include fever, enlarged lymph nodes and eventually small blisters in the throat, around the mouth or on the lips. Why were the parents of the infant tested for HSV-1?
Multiple Choice
Although the parents were not reported to have symptoms, they would also be at risk of developing meningitis if they were positive for HSV.
Although the parents were not reported to have symptoms, HSV-1 infections are often asymptomatic; the parents may have infected the baby.
The parents were at risk of developing neonatal herpes simplex because their infant had developed HSV-1 associated disease.
The parents needed to be vaccinated against HSV, even if they tested negative for the virus.
Although the parents were not reported to have symptoms, they likely required aggressive treatment if positive for HSV infection.