A COMBINATION OF HERPES VIRUS INFECTION (HSV-1, HHV-6) AND MULTI-RESISTANT BACTERIAL INFECTION IN A SEVERELY BURNED PEDIATRIC PATIENT - A CASE REPORT.

Serious burn trauma is associated with changes of the immune system, and immunosuppression induced by burn trauma can lead to reactivation of latent infections. Herpetic viruses are known for their lifelong persistence after primary infection and ability to reactivate. Their reactivation in the setting of burn trauma or primary infection can cause serious complications for a weakened burn patient. Presented is a case of a toddler who sustained second-degree scald burns over 20% of his body surface area. The injury was complicated by a multi-resistant bacterial infection in addition to reactivation of a latent HHV-6 infection concurrently with a primary HSV-1 infection. Described further are basic diagnostics, local and systemic treatment strategies, and other complications due to disseminated herpetic infections. To date, HHV-6 reactivation has not been described in conjunction with burn injury.