Related Experiment Videos
A man with an infected finger: a case report
Pieter J Gathier1,2, Titus J A Schönberger3
1Jeroen Bosch Ziekenhuis 's-Hertogenbosch, Henri Dunantstraat 1, 5223 GZ, 's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands. pjgathier@gmail.com.
Journal of Medical Case Reports
|May 24, 2015
Summary
Herpetic whitlow, a rare viral finger infection, can be mistaken for bacterial infections. Prompt diagnosis and antiviral treatment are crucial to prevent severe complications like encephalitis.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Infectious Diseases
- Virology
Background:
- Whitlow is a common finger infection, usually bacterial.
- Herpetic whitlow, caused by the herpes simplex virus, is rare and often misdiagnosed.
- Delayed treatment of herpetic whitlow can lead to serious complications, including encephalitis.
Observation:
- A case of a 23-year-old man with a presumed bacterial whitlow initially treated with antibiotics and incision.
- The patient presented with finger erythema, swelling, and multiple vesicles, unresponsive to initial treatment.
- Herpetic whitlow was diagnosed based on clinical presentation and confirmed by polymerase chain reaction testing.
Findings:
- Herpetic whitlow was confirmed in a patient with symptoms initially attributed to bacterial infection.
- Polymerase chain reaction testing verified the presence of herpes simplex virus.
- The patient's symptoms resolved completely after appropriate antiviral treatment.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of considering viral causes for whitlow, even when bacterial infection is suspected.
- Emphasizes the need for accurate differentiation between herpetic and bacterial whitlow for effective treatment.
- Underscores the potential for severe complications if herpetic whitlow is not promptly recognized and treated.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis
852
Endocarditis can present various clinical features depending on the causative organism and the patient's underlying health conditions. Initially, the clinical features of infective endocarditis develop gradually, presenting with nonspecific symptoms that can be easily mistaken for other illnesses.General SymptomsEarly symptoms of infective endocarditis are fever, chills, weakness, malaise, fatigue, and weight loss. These symptoms reflect the systemic nature of the infection and the body's...
852
01:26Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
14.7K
The hosts' susceptibility to infection depends on several factors. The integrity of the skin and mucous membranes helps protect the body against microbial attacks. When the skin is altered, the chance of infection, limb loss, and even death increases.
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
14.7K
01:25Endocarditis I: Introduction
826
Introduction:Endocarditis is the infection of the endocardium, the inner lining of the heart and its valves. When the heart muscle is involved, the condition is termed myocarditis, while an infection of the outer lining is called pericarditis. Infective endocarditis (IE) primarily affects the endocardium, where pathogens adhere to the valves or lining, forming vegetation that can lead to severe complications. Infective endocarditis occurs when microorganisms, usually bacteria from other body...
826
01:23Hand hygiene
6.7K
Asepsis is the practice of preventing or breaking the chain of infection. The nurse employs aseptic techniques to prevent the spread of microorganisms and reduce the risk of diseases. Hand hygiene is the cornerstone of aseptic techniques and is classified into medical and surgical asepsis. Medical asepsis includes hand hygiene and the use of gloves. Surgical asepsis, or the sterile technique, refers to practices that render and keep objects and areas free of microorganisms.
Hand washing...
Hand washing...
6.7K
01:20Infection
14.6K
When a pathogen enters the body and reproduces, it can cause an infection, damage body cells, and cause illness symptoms that eventually lead to disease. Therefore, its prevention requires breaking the chain of infection.
The chain begins with pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions, or parasites such as protozoa helminths. These can be present on the skin as transient or resident flora, or they can be acquired from the environment. Identifying and treating the type of infection and...
The chain begins with pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions, or parasites such as protozoa helminths. These can be present on the skin as transient or resident flora, or they can be acquired from the environment. Identifying and treating the type of infection and...
14.6K
01:29Endocarditis IV: Nursing Management
595
Infective endocarditis (IE) is a chronic infection of the heart's endocardium, primarily affecting the heart valves. A detailed nursing assessment for a patient with IE involves collecting subjective and objective data to ensure an accurate diagnosis and timely intervention.Subjective DataThe nurse gathers information about the patient's symptoms and complaints during the subjective assessment. Patients with infective endocarditis often report non-specific symptoms that can mimic other...
595