Thumb-Sucking and Herpes Infection: A Case

An 8-year-old boy was treated for a 4-day history of pain and paresthesia of the right thumb, following a Herpes labialis infection. The thumb appeared inflamed and swollen, with vesicular eruptions. The most likely cause of the infection was thumb sucking, but it could also be due to the prior HSV1 or HSV2 infection in genital secretions.

Herpetic whitlow was first reported as an occupational hazard for health care workers1,3. It is often misdiagnosed as a bacterial infection, although herpetic whitlow is caused by herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1) in 60 percent of cases, and by herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV2) in the remaining 40 percent of cases2,3. Thumb sucking causes autoinoculation from primary oropharyngeal lesions in children with herpetic gingivostomatitis or herpes labialis. Children and health care workers are usually infected with HSV11,2,3. Signs and symp

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Herpetic Whitlow following Herpes labialis infection .... often misdiagnosed as a bacterial infection, although herpetic .... of cases and by herpes simplex virus 2 .... percent of cases1,2. Thumb sucking causes autoinoculation .... (483 2 )

Herpetic Whitlow .... often misdiagnosed as a bacterial infection, although herpetic .... of cases and by herpes simplex virus 2 .... percent of cases1,2. Thumb sucking causes autoinoculation .... (483 2 )

Category: Medical - T