Primary orofacial<unk>  is readily identified by clinical examination in persons without a previous history of lesions, and with reported contact with an individual with known HSV-1 infection. The appearance and distribution of sores, in these individuals, typically presents as multiple, round, and superficial oral ulcers, accompanied by acute gingivitis. Adults with non-typical presentation are more difficult to diagnose. However, prodromal symptoms that occur before the appearance of<unk> ic lesions helps to differentiate HSV symptoms from the similar symptoms of, for example, allergic stomatitis.  Occasionally, when lesions do not appear inside the mouth, primary orofacial<unk>  is mistaken for a bacterial infection known as impetigo. Common mouth ulcers (aphthous ulcer), also resemble intraoral<unk> , but do not present a vesicular stage.
Genital<unk>  can be more difficult to diagnose than oral<unk>  since most HSV-2-infected persons have no classical signs and symptoms.  To confuse<unk> , several other conditions resemble genital<unk> , including lichen planus, atopic dermatitis, or urethritis. Laboratory testing is, therefore, often used to confirm genital<unk> . Laboratory tests include culture of the virus, direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) studies to detect virus, skin biopsy, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to test for presence of viral DNA. A Tzanck test (or smear) can also be performed, although this cannot differentiate between<unk><unk>  or varicella (chicken pox) (the primary infection of varicella zoster virus (VZV or shingles). Although these procedures produce highly sensitive and specific<unk> , their high costs and time constraints discourage their regular use in clinical practice. Serological tests for antibodies to HSV are rarely useful to<unk>  but are important in epidemiological studies. Serologic assays cannot differentiate between antibodies generated in response to a genital versus an oral HSV infection and as such cannot confirm the site of infection. Absence of antibody to HSV-2 does not exclude genital infection because of the increasing incidence of genital infections caused by HSV-1. For these reasons and the diagnostic delay; serology is not routinely used in clinical practice.
Herpes simplex diagnosis
Haff disease laboratory findings
DRESS syndrome physical examination
Erysipelas physical examination
Lyme disease physical examination
Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin laboratory findings
Allergic conjunctivitis physical examination
Mycosis fungoides physical examination