Disease/Syndrome |
Herpetic whitlow |
Category |
Infection, Occupational |
Acute/Chronic |
Acute-Moderate |
Synonyms |
Herpes simplex infection; HSV infection |
Biomedical References |
Search PubMed |
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] |
Latency/Incubation |
2-12 days |
Diagnostic |
Culture; Microscopic exam and direct FA tests of skin scrapings or biopsy; Paired sera; [CCDM, p. 268-72] |
ICD-9 Code |
054.6 |
Effective Antimicrobics |
Yes |
|
|
Image |
NIOSH - Photo of Herpetic Whitlow |
Related Information in Haz-Map |
Symptoms/Findings |
Symptoms/Findings associated with this disease:
|
Job Tasks |
High risk job tasks associated with this disease:
|