Herpes Simplex Virus: Examination

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; further:
    • Inspection (viewing).
      • Skin, mucous membranes, oral cavity, pharynx (throat), and genital region [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.
        • Leading symptoms of genital herpes (genital herpes; HSV 2): vesicles and ulcers (ulceration) on the genitals; swelling of the inguinal lymph nodes]
    • Inspection and palpation of lymph node stations [local lymphadenopathy (lymph node enlargement)?]
  • If necessary, ophthalmological examination [due topossible sequelae: Keratitis dentritica/-disciformis (inflammation of the cornea and conjunctiva)]If necessary, dermatological examination [due topossible sequelae: Erythema exsudativum multiforme (synonyms: erythema multiforme, cocard erythema, disc rose) – acute inflammation occurring in the upper corium (sclera), which leads to typical cocard-shaped lesions; a distinction is made between a minor and a major form].
  • If necessary, neurological examination [due topossible secondary disease: encephalitis (brain inflammation)]

Square brackets [ ] indicate possible pathological (pathological) physical findings.