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Herpetic whitlow on the thumb Herpes simplex - close-up

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Herpes simplex

Symptoms: mouth sores genital lesions (male) -- may be preceded by burning or tingling sensation genital lesions (female) -- may be preceded by burning or tingling sensation blisters or ulcers -- most frequent on the mouth, lips and gums or genitalia fever blisters fever -- may be present especially during the first episode enlargement of lymph nodes in the neck or groin Signs and tests: In many instances, the physical appearance of the lesions is highly suggestive of the diagnosis of herpes-simplex infections. However, certain tests may be ordered to establish a definitive diagnosis. They include:  Blood test Viral culture of lesion   Tzanck test   Direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) test References: Stoopler ET. Oral herpetic infections (HSV 1-8). Dent Clin North Am. 2005 Jan;49(1):15-29, vii. Text Continues Below Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases.  5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Churchill Livingstone; 2000.

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