Disseminated primary HSV-2 infection of the face

We report the case of a 44-year-old, heterosexual, man, who presented for lesions of the face that appeared 3 days earlier; the eruption was associated with a burning sensation. He had sexual intercourse 12 days prior to presentation with a new partner. On clinical examination, there were confluent vesicules and a few pustules localized on the cheeks, forehead, nose, mouth, and ears. A swab for immunofluorescence (IF) came back as positive for HSV-2. The patient was treated with oral acyclovir. The lesions were healed when he was seen for follow-up 1 week later. The virus responsible for herpes is a double-stranded DNA virus named Herpes simplex virus (HSV). The virus generally enters damaged epithelium or mucosal surfaces, secondary to abrasions or trauma. Most primary orolabial infections occur during childhood as herpetic gingivostomatitis. However, there are forms that could be more atypical. The spread of the virus was probably promoted by shaving the beard. In immunocompromised patients or those with skin barrier disorders, HSV infection tends to disseminate and is accompanied by visceral involvement. Hence, the need to detect a state of immunodepression (including AIDS) in any patient with diffuse herpes infection. Three oral antiviral agents are commonly used: acyclovir, famciclovir, and valaciclovir.