Viral encephalitis in children.

Knowledge about the role of viruses in encephalitis and other diseases of the central nervous system has been greatly expanded since the advent of polymerase chain reaction testing. It is known that the spectrum of disease caused by herpes simplex virus, for example, is much wider than was previously recognized. Evidence is mounting that infectious agents may have a causative role in diseases such as recurrent febrile seizures and Rasmussen encephalitis. This review examines the recent advances in treating viral encephalitis and puts these developments into perspective.