A comprehensive clinical examination is the basis for selecting further diagnostic steps:
- General physical examination – including blood pressure, pulse, body temperature, body weight, body height; furthermore:
- Inspection (viewing).
- Skin, mucous membranes, oral cavity and pharynx (throat) [gingivitis (inflammation of the gums), stomatitis (inflammation of the oral mucosa), pharyngitis (inflammation of the throat);
- Leading symptoms of herpes labialis (cold sore; HSV 1): grouped vesicles on the lips/corners of the mouth, heal without scarring.
- Skin, mucous membranes, oral cavity and pharynx (throat) [gingivitis (inflammation of the gums), stomatitis (inflammation of the oral mucosa), pharyngitis (inflammation of the throat);
- Inspection and palpation (palpation) of lymph node stations [local lymphadenopathy (lymph node enlargement)?]
- Inspection (viewing).
- If necessary, dermatological examination [due topossible sequelae: Eczema herpeticatum – severe herpes infection in infants who also suffer from atopy (genetic disposition to react to aerogenic (“by air”), gastrointestinal (“via the gastrointestinal tract”) or cutaneous (“via the skin”) contact with natural or artificial environmental substances with increased IgE formation)]
- If necessary, neurological examination [due topossible secondary disease:
- Herpes encephalitis – inflammation of the brain caused primarily by herpes simplex virus type 1; lethality (mortality based on the total number of people affected by the disease) > 80%.
- Idiopathic facial paresis – paralysis of a facial nerve; association with herpes simplex virus type 1 is discussed]
Square brackets [ ] are used to indicate possible pathological (pathological) physical findings.
