Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection in the infant typically occurs when the virus is acquired from caregivers, family members, or other children. Those with preexisting dermatitis can be predisposed to infection.
Characteristic skin lesions are vesicles, pustules, crusts, or erosions. Rarely there can be coinfection of the skin with Staphylococcal aureus and HSV together.
Other symptoms of primary HSV infection in an infant include feeding problems, fever, and/or lethargy. In infants with atopic dermatitis, HSV can spread widely (eczema herpeticum).
See neonatal herpes for discussion of perinatal infection.
Herpes simplex virus in Infant/Neonate
See also in: Cellulitis DDx,AnogenitalAlerts and Notices
Important News & Links
Synopsis
Codes
ICD10CM:
B00.1 – Herpesviral vesicular dermatitis
SNOMEDCT:
88594005 – Herpes simplex
B00.1 – Herpesviral vesicular dermatitis
SNOMEDCT:
88594005 – Herpes simplex
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Diagnostic Pearls
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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls
- Acropustulosis of infancy
- Congenital self-healing histiocytosis
- Molluscum contagiosum – Lesions are usually not painful, are slow to evolve, and are rarely grouped.
- Impetigo
- Fixed drug eruption
- Candidiasis
- Varicella
- Herpes zoster
- Hand, foot, and mouth disease
- Contact dermatitis, allergic or irritant
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Therapy
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Last Reviewed:01/28/2023
Last Updated:02/01/2023
Last Updated:02/01/2023
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Herpes simplex virus in Infant/Neonate
See also in: Cellulitis DDx,Anogenital