Classification<unk>  virus is divided into two types. However, each may cause infections in all areas. *HSV-1 causes primarily mouth, throat, face, eye, and central nervous system infections. *HSV-2 causes primarily anogenital infections. Examination Primary orofacial<unk>  is readily identified by examination of persons with no previous history of lesions and contact with an individual with known<unk> V infection. The appearance and distribution of sores is typically presents as multiple, round, superficial oral ulcers, accompanied by acute gingivitis. Adults with atypical presentation are more difficult to diagnose. Prodromal symptoms that occur before the appearance of<unk> ic lesions help differentiate<unk> V symptoms from the similar symptoms of other disorders, such as allergic stomatitis. When lesions do not appear inside the mouth, primary orofacial<unk>  is sometimes mistaken for impetigo, a bacterial infection. Common mouth ulcers (aphthous ulcer) also resemble intraoral<unk> , but do not present a vesicular stage. Genital<unk>  can be more difficult to diagnose than oral<unk> , since most people have none of the classical symptoms. Further confusing diagnosis, several other conditions resemble genital<unk> , including fungal infection, lichen planus, atopic dermatitis, and urethritis. Laboratory testing Laboratory testing is often used to confirm a diagnosis of genital<unk> . Laboratory tests include culture of the virus, direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) studies to detect virus, skin biopsy, and polymerase chain reaction to test for presence of viral DNA. Although these procedures produce highly sensitive and specific diagnoses, their high costs and time constraints discourage their regular use in clinical practice. Until the 1980s serological tests for antibodies to<unk> V were rarely useful to diagnosis and not routinely used in clinical practice. The older IgM serologic assay could not differentiate between antibodies generated in response to<unk> V-1 or<unk> V-2 infection. However, a glycoprotein G-specific (IgG)<unk> V test introduced in the 1980s is more than 98% specific at discriminating<unk> V-1 from<unk> V-2. Differential diagnosis It should not be confused with conditions caused by other viruses in the<unk> viridae family such as<unk>  zoster, which is caused by varicella zoster virus. The differential diagnosis includes hand, foot and mouth disease due to similar lesions on the skin. Lymphangioma circumscriptum and dermatitis<unk> iformis may also have a similar appearance.
Herpes simplex
Shingles
Lentigo simplex
Molluscum contagiosum
Herpes labialis
Herpes gladiatorum
Smallpox
Cowpox