Herpetic whitlow is caused by which virus?

Herpetic whitlow is caused by which virus?

• A. Varicella-zoster virus
• B. Human papillomavirus
• C. Herpes simplex virus type 1 or 2
• D. Adenovirus

Answer: (C)

Herpetic whitlow is a finger infection caused by herpes simplex virus, typically HSV-1 (though HSV-2 can also cause it). It presents as painful, grouped vesicles on an erythematous base on the finger, often after direct contact with oral or genital herpes or autoinoculation. The virus remains latent in sensory ganglia and can recur. The other options don’t fit this pattern: varicella-zoster virus causes chickenpox and shingles, not the classic isolated finger vesicles; human papillomavirus causes warts; adenovirus causes respiratory or conjunctival infections.

Herpetic whitlow is a finger infection caused by herpes simplex virus, typically HSV-1 (though HSV-2 can also cause it). It presents as painful, grouped vesicles on an erythematous base on the finger, often after direct contact with oral or genital herpes or autoinoculation. The virus remains latent in sensory ganglia and can recur. The other options don’t fit this pattern: varicella-zoster virus causes chickenpox and shingles, not the classic isolated finger vesicles; human papillomavirus causes warts; adenovirus causes respiratory or conjunctival infections.