Identification and treatment of herpes lesions.

Infections caused by the herpes family of viruses are on the rise. Mucocutaneous herpes infections are caused by herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2 and varicella-zoster virus. Herpes simplex virus commonly causes oral-labial or genital infection, and varicella-zoster virus causes chicken pox and shingles. Clinical features frequently are atypical, particularly in compromised patients. Therefore, a high index of suspicion must be maintained for early diagnosis. Availability of easy-to-perform rapid diagnostic tests and several potent antiherpetic agents have vastly improved the management of herpes infections.