Risk factors and symptoms at presentation of 4 patients with presumed genital HSV infection in whom VZV DNA was detected in lesions by PCR
| Sex (age) | Risk factors | Symptoms at presentation | Clinical diagnosis | Treatment | PCR result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male (44) | HIV positive, viral load <500 copies ×106/l, CD4+ cells = 780 ×106/l | Painless bilateral ulcers on base of penis. 4 days’ duration | HSV genital infection | None | VZV |
| Male (34) | Intercourse with female sex worker 5 weeks earlier | Painless red vesicles ajacent to urethral meatus. 6 days’ duration | HSV genital infection or dermatitis | None | VZV |
| Male (21) | Sex with female partner 1 day earlier | Paraesthesiae (leg). Vesicles on left buttock, perineum, left hemiscrotum and penis. Tender left inguinal node | HSV infection | Oral valaciclovir, topical aciclovir | VZV |
| Female (31) | Past history of genital herpes infection | Vulval sores resembling small tears on either side of vaginal introitus | HSV genital infection | Clioquinol cream with topical hydrocortisone | VZV |