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Health Dictionary

Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.

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Herpes simplex physical examination

Introduction

Overview

Overview

On physical examination multiple, round, superficial oral ulcers accompanied by acute gingivitis can be seen. Lymphadenopathy, gingivitis, and tonsillitis may accompany the primary lesions.[1]

Physical Examination

Physical Examination

The physical examination of herpes infection may show:[2]

1) Blisters or ulcers

  • Site – In orofacial herpes/herpes simplex 1 the ulcers are commonly found on lips, gums, throat, front of tongue, inside of the cheeks, and roof of the mouth. These occur around genitalia in cases of genital herpes/herpes simplex 2.
  • Size – Generally small (2-5 mm)
  • Shape – Round
  • The lesions may occur in groups/crops

2) Lymphadenopathy (cervical, Inguinal glands)

3) Gingivitis and tonsillitis in herpes simplex 1

The following image is an example of how the Herpes simplex virus can cause nail disease.

Skin

  • Blisters

Images

Genitourinary System

  • Blisters
  • Ulceration

Images

Face

  • Blisters at the:
    • Angle of the mouth
    • Vermilion border
    • Nostrils
    • Nose

Images

Extremities

  • Blisters can be seen at:
    • Tip of the finger
    • Skin of the hand
    • Legs

Images

Neck

  • Blisters

Images

Gallery
  • Image depicts the right foot of an infant born with a herpes simplex infection, known as neonatal herpes, or herpes simplex neonatorum, which had manifested itself through the development of maculopapular lesions of the foot’s heal and sole. From Public Health Image Library (PHIL). [3]
    Image depicts the right foot of an infant born with a herpes simplex infection, known as neonatal herpes, or herpes simplex neonatorum, which had manifested itself through the development of maculopapular lesions of the foot’s heal and sole. From Public Health Image Library (PHIL). [3]
  • Photograph depicts a 70 year-old Cardiff, Wales female is a chronic lymphocytic leukemia patient. Patient exhibiting an indolent chronic oral herpes simplex ulcer. This patient had been vaccinated for “therapy” of this ulcer, and subsequently developed vaccinia necrosum, also known as progressive vaccinia. From Public Health Image Library (PHIL). [3]
    Photograph depicts a 70 year-old Cardiff, Wales female is a chronic lymphocytic leukemia patient. Patient exhibiting an indolent chronic oral herpes simplex ulcer. This patient had been vaccinated for “therapy” of this ulcer, and subsequently developed vaccinia necrosum, also known as progressive vaccinia. From Public Health Image Library (PHIL). [3]
References

References

  1. ↑ Fatahzadeh M, Schwartz RA (2007). “Human herpes simplex virus infections: epidemiology, pathogenesis, symptomatology, diagnosis, and management”. J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. 57 (5): 737–63, quiz 764–6. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2007.06.027. PMID 17939933.
  2. ↑ Lucas Harless, Nancy Jiang, Frank Schneider & Megan Durr (2017). “Herpes Simplex Virus Laryngitis Presenting as Airway Obstruction: A Case Report and Literature Review”. The Annals of otology, rhinology, and laryngology. 126 (5): 424–428. doi:10.1177/0003489417699421. PMID 28397560. Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 “Public Health Image Library (PHIL)”.

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2], Jesus Rosario Hernandez, M.D. [3], Usama Talib, BSc, MD [4]