Which patient is expected to benefit from receiving intravenous acyclovir as initial treatment?

Intravenous acyclovir is an antiviral medication that is specifically indicated for treating infections caused by herpes viruses, including herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella-zoster virus (VZV). In the context of the question, a patient exhibiting symptoms of viral encephalitis would benefit from acyclovir because viral encephalitis is often associated with infection from HSV, which is one of the primary viral causes of encephalitis.

Administering intravenous acyclovir in this scenario allows for rapid systemic absorption and effectively targets the viral infection, which can lead to potential complications if not treated promptly. Acyclovir therapy is essential because viral encephalitis can result in severe neurological damage or even death if not adequately treated in time.

The other options describe conditions or scenarios where acyclovir may not be indicated or beneficial. For example, bacterial meningitis is treated with antibiotics rather than antivirals, and altered mental status can arise from various non-viral etiologies. Clear fluid CSF with increased neutrophils suggests a bacterial process rather than a viral one, further indicating that acyclovir would not be the appropriate choice. Moreover, while herpes simplex virus is correctly identified as a target of acyclovir, the clearest