Nongenital HSV infection, whether primary or recurrent, is often asymptomatic. Lesions may present as group vesicles on an erythematous base, or as a recurrent erythematous plaque ±erosions.
Causes of Nongenital Herpes Simplex Virus Infection
Most of these infections are caused by HSV-2, but 15 to 30 percent are found to be caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Most cases occur in the intrapartum period, but they may occur in utero and postnatally through contact with oral or skin lesions.
Symptoms of Nongenital Herpes Simplex Virus Infection
- Disease localized to the skin, eye or mouth
- Encephalitis, with or without skin, eye or mouth involvement
- Disseminated infection that involves multiple sites, including the central nervous system, lung, liver, adrenals, skin, eye or mouth.
Diagnosis
Clinical suspicion confirmed by Tzanck smear, viral culture, or antigen detection.
Treatment
See Herpes Simplex Virus Infection.
References