Herpetic Whitlow
Basics
Description
Epidemiology
- Predominant age: bimodal age distribution: children <10 years of age and adults 20 to 30 years. Among children <10 years, those <2 years make up the majority of cases (2).
- Predominant sex (adults): female > male (2.3:1)
Incidence
2.4 cases per 100,000 in 1 year (2)
Etiology and Pathophysiology
HSV enters epidermis through break in the skin and infects the epithelial cells. Virus replication occurs and forms symptomatic vesicular lesions. Virus travels along the nerve to the dorsal root ganglion and remains dormant but can reactivate to cause recurrent symptoms (1).
Risk Factors
- Break in epidermis after minor trauma (1)
- Direct contact between abraded skin and HSV-infected secretions or lesions; occupations that allow direct exposure of digits to oropharyngeal secretions (dentist, respiratory therapist, nurse, physician, or other health care personnel)
- Autoinoculation of self with existing herpes genitalis, labialis, or gingivostomatitis:
- Children with finger-sucking habits
- Those with nail-biting habits
General Prevention
- Universal fluid precautions (Wash hands and wear protective gloves to prevent direct contact of digits with infected oropharyngeal or genital lesions.)
- Avoid sharing toothbrush, washcloth, drinking glass, or utensils.
- Avoid wearing contact lenses to prevent transmission to the eyes.
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Citation
Domino, Frank J., et al., editors. "Herpetic Whitlow." 5-Minute Clinical Consult, 33rd ed., Wolters Kluwer, 2025. Medicine Central, im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/117494/1.2/Herpetic_Whitlow.
Herpetic Whitlow. In: Domino FJF, Baldor RAR, Golding JJ, et al, eds. 5-Minute Clinical Consult. Wolters Kluwer; 2025. https://im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/117494/1.2/Herpetic_Whitlow. Accessed December 3, 2024.
Herpetic Whitlow. (2025). In Domino, F. J., Baldor, R. A., Golding, J., & Stephens, M. B. (Eds.), 5-Minute Clinical Consult (33rd ed.). Wolters Kluwer. https://im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/117494/1.2/Herpetic_Whitlow
Herpetic Whitlow [Internet]. In: Domino FJF, Baldor RAR, Golding JJ, Stephens MBM, editors. 5-Minute Clinical Consult. Wolters Kluwer; 2025. [cited 2024 December 03]. Available from: https://im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/117494/1.2/Herpetic_Whitlow.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY - ELEC
T1 - Herpetic Whitlow
ID - 117494
ED - Domino,Frank J,
ED - Baldor,Robert A,
ED - Golding,Jeremy,
ED - Stephens,Mark B,
BT - 5-Minute Clinical Consult, Updating
UR - https://im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/117494/1.2/Herpetic_Whitlow
PB - Wolters Kluwer
ET - 33
DB - Medicine Central
DP - Unbound Medicine
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