Herpes simplex infection involving the hand.

Finger lesions caused by the herpes simplex virus often resemble pyogenic infection and must be differentiated from the latter to avoid unnecessary surgical drainage. The lesions, with their accompanying symptoms and signs, resolve spontaneously within one to three weeks, and only supportive treatment is necessary. Recurrence is not unusual, occurring as late as several years after the original attack. Most patients with herpetic whitlow are medical or dental personnel, whose occupation requires contact with the oral-respiratory system of patients. Therefore, direct digital contact with individuals infected by oral herpes simplex or with asymptomatic carriers is the most plausible mechanism of transmission of the virus. Avoidance of the disease in such highly infectious persons is possible by the use of gloves.