Herpes Encephalitis Attorneys in St. Louis, Missouri
At The Gogel Law Firm, our St. Louis birth injury attorneys know that giving birth is a mentally and physically stressful and exhausting event. While the result lies in a beautiful new baby, multiple things can go wrong during delivery. When physicians, nurses, and medical support staff are not using preventive measures to keep both the baby and mother safe, one or both can suffer severe physical consequences.
One of those consequences can be Herpes Encephalitis. This virus can be spread by an infected mother to her baby during childbirth.
Encephalitis involving herpes is a medical emergency. It needs to be promptly diagnosed and treated. This disease is often fatal when it is not treated. Many babies who survive the virus have long-term medical problems afterward.
To help prevent the virus from spreading to the baby, it is recommended that physicians deliver the baby via cesarean section, and never use invasive instruments, like fetal-scalp electrode monitoring or forceps and vacuum extractors.
If your child was infected with herpes that led to encephalitis because a physician failed to deliver the baby via cesarean section or the use of invasive instruments during vaginal delivery in Missouri, you may have a medical malpractice claim.
Contact our skilled birth injury lawyers in St. Louis to learn more about your legal rights and options to hold the liable party responsible for your and your child’s damages.
What are the Risk Factors for Herpes Encephalitis?
Herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) is the most common single cause of viral encephalitis in infants and children and can be associated with considerable illness and even death. A prompt and careful investigation is important to establish the diagnosis and treat the virus right away.
Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain, which can result in symptoms like:
- Bleeding easily
- Blue appearance (Cyanosis)
- Confusion
- Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue
- Feeding problems
- Fever
- Hepatitis
- Irritability
- Lethargy
- Pneumonia
- Respiratory problems
- Seizures
- Soft spot protruding from the baby’s head (Bulging fontanelle)
- Yellowing of skin and eyes (Jaundice)
The signs of neonatal herpes infection can go unnoticed or are misattributed to another condition.
Failure to promptly diagnose neonatal herpes greatly increases the seriousness of the disease and increases the chance of herpes encephalitis, permanent brain injury, and death.
Contact Our St. Louis Herpes Encephalitis Attorneys Today for a Free Case Assessment
If your child has herpes encephalitis caused by a vaginal delivery that should have been a cesarean section, or through the use of invasive instruments during the birthing process in Missouri, contact our St. Louis medical malpractice lawyer today to review your case by calling (314) 370-8173 or online to schedule a free consultation.
