| Disease/Syndrome |
Herpetic whitlow |
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| Category |
Infection, Occupational |
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| Acute/Chronic |
Acute-Moderate |
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| Synonyms |
Herpes simplex infection; HSV infection |
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| Biomedical References |
Search PubMed |
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| Comments |
Dental and medical workers are at risk for herpes (HSV-1 or HSV-2) hand infection after exposure to the infected saliva of patients. [CCDM, p. 270] Healthcare workers should be restricted from patient contact and contact with the patient's environment until the lesions heal. [CDC Personnel Health Guidelines] The lesion is difficult to distinguish from a bacterial pustule. Patients may have fever and regional adenopathy. Infections may recur. A similar infection occurs in wrestlers on any part of the body--herpes gladiatorum. [PPID, p. 1769] |
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| Latency/Incubation |
2-12 days |
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| Diagnostic |
Culture; Microscopic exam and direct FA tests of skin scrapings or biopsy; Paired sera; [CCDM, p. 268-72] |
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| ICD-9 Code |
054.6 |
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| Effective Antimicrobics |
Yes |
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| Image |
NIOSH - Photo of Herpetic Whitlow |
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| Related Information in Haz-Map |
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| Symptoms/Findings |
Symptoms/Findings associated with this disease:
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| Job Tasks |
High risk job tasks associated with this disease:
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