title: Herpetic whitlow and ocular infection.
abstract: Herpes simplex virus can involve the mouth, nose, or skin in addition to the eye. A very rare form of herpes simplex involves the fingertips (herpetic whitlow) and can be a source of diagnostic confusion. Herpes simplex can be spread by direct contact from any of these sites to the eye by cross-infection or autoinoculation. The ophthalmologist should be aware of the nonocular forms of herpes simplex.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003231:Conjunctivitis / Q000209:etiology*; D005385:Fingers; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007635:Keratitis, Dendritic / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000150:complications