CSF studies during the hospital stay
| Age (days) | Day 5 | Day 8 |
| CSF appearance | Clear | Clear |
| CSF glucose (mmol/L)* | 2.8 | 2.7 |
| CSF protein (0.15–1.30 g/L) | 0.86 g/L | 0.59 g/L |
| White cell count (cells/mm3) | <1 | 2 |
| Red blood cells (cells/mm3) | 30 | 55 |
| Gram stain | No organism | No organism |
| CSF culture | No growth | No growth |
| HSV type 1 DNA | Not detected | Not detected |
| HSV type 2 DNA | Not detected | Not detected |
| Varicella-zoster virus DNA | Not detected | Not detected |
| Enterovirus RNA | Not detected | Not detected |
| Parechovirus RNA | Not detected | Not detected |
*Normal CSF glucose is approximately two-thirds of plasma glucose level (4.5, 4.2 mmol/L respectively).
CSF, cerebrospinal fluid; HSV, herpes simplex virus.