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Herpes and the head and neck: the difficulties in diagnosis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

Elizabeth J. Whallett  and
Ahmes L. Pahor
Elizabeth J. Whallett
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, City Hospital, Birmingham, UK.
Ahmes L. Pahor*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, City Hospital, Birmingham, UK.
*
Address for correspondence: Mr A. L. Pahor, M.A., F.R.C.S., D.L.O., Consultant ENT Surgeon, ENT Department, City Hospital, Dudley Road, Birmingham B18 7QH.
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Abstract

A case of primary herpes of the head and neck is presented. The exact source of infection and the precise diagnosis proved difficult to establish, but evidence tended to support a diagnosis of varicella zoster infection as opposed to a herpes simplex infection, though a dual infection was not ruled out.

Herpes simplex has specific clinical features which usually make its distinction from varicella zoster clear cut. In this case we relied heavily on laboratory investigations to improve the accuracy of our diagnosis since the clinical characteristics were blurred.

Unlike varicella zoster there has been little written about herpes simplex infections specifically affecting the ear, face and neck.

Keywords

Herpes virus, humanHerpes simplex
Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 113 , Issue 6 , June 1999 , pp. 573 - 577
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1999

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