Herpes simplex viral infections may be mistaken for:
(1) a urinary tract infection
(2) urethritis
(3) Candidal vaginitis (in females)
(4) hemorrhoids
(5) anal fissures
(6) skin abrasion or friction burns
(7) poison ivy or other eruption
(8) bug bite
When to consider HSV infection:
(1) repeated episodes, especially with vesicles
(2) negative cultures for bacteria and chlamydia
(3) failure to respond to therapy appropriate for purported cause
(4) occurrence at a time or place atypical for purported cause (bug bites in the winter, no poison ivy exposure)
(5) absence of findings for purported condition (no fissures, no hemorrhoids, etc)
