CONFIRMING DIAGNOSIS Diagnosis can be confirmed by demonstration of the herpes simplex virus in vesicular fluid, using tissue culture techniques, or by antigen tests that identify specific antigens.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Herpes simplex:
Diagnosis
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
CONFIRMING DIAGNOSIS Typical lesions may suggest HVH infection. However, confirmation requires isolation of the virus from local lesions and histologic biopsy.
A rise in antibodies and moderate leukocytosis may support the diagnosis.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Common cold:
Diagnosis
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
No explicit diagnostic test exists to isolate the specific organism responsible for the common cold. Consequently, diagnosis rests on the typically mild, localized, and afebrile upper respiratory symptoms. Despite infection, white blood cell counts and differential are within normal limits. Diagnosis must rule out allergic rhinitis, measles, rubella, and other disorders that produce similar early symptoms. A temperature higher than 100° F (37.8° C), severe malaise, anorexia, tachycardia, exudate on the tonsils or throat, petechiae, and tender lymph glands may point to more serious disorders and require additional diagnostic tests.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Stomatitis and other oral infections:
Diagnosis
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
Diagnosis is based on the physical examination; in Vincent’s angina, a smear of ulcer exudate allows for identification of the causative organism.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Cold injuries:
Diagnosis
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
A history of severe and prolonged exposure to cold may make this diagnosis obvious. Nevertheless, hypothermia can be overlooked if outdoor temperatures are above freezing or if the patient is comatose.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Mouth lesions:
History and physical examination
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))
Begin your evaluation with a thorough history. Ask the patient when the lesions appeared and whether he has noticed any pain, odor, or drainage. Also ask about associated complaints, particularly skin lesions. Obtain a complete drug history, including drug allergies and antibiotic use, and a complete medical history. Note especially any malignancy, sexually transmitted disease, I.V. drug use, recent infection, or trauma. Ask about his dental history, including oral hygiene habits, frequency of dental examinations, and the date of his most recent dental visit.
Next, perform a complete oral examination, noting lesion sites and character. Examine the patient’s lips for color and texture. Inspect and palpate the buccal mucosa and tongue for color, texture, and contour; note especially any painless ulcers on the sides or base of the tongue. Hold the tongue with a piece of gauze, lift it, and examine its underside and the floor of the mouth. Depress the tongue with a tongue blade, and examine the oropharynx. Inspect the teeth and gums, noting missing, broken, or discolored teeth; dental caries; excessive debris; and bleeding, inflamed, swollen, or discolored gums.
Palpate the neck for adenopathy, especially in patients who smoke tobacco or use alcohol excessively.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition), 2006
Cold intolerance:
History and physical examination
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))
Find out when the patient first noticed cold intolerance by asking when he began using more blankets or wearing heavier clothing. A person may suffer transitory cold intolerance when moving from a tropical to a temperate climate; ask if the patient has recently made such a move. Ask about associated signs and symptoms, such as changes in vision or in the texture or amount of body hair. If the patient is female, ask about changes in her normal menstrual pattern.
Before proceeding with the physical examination, obtain a brief history. Does the patient have a history of hypothyroidism or hypothalamic disease? Is he taking any medications? If so, is he complying with the prescribed schedule and dosage? Has the regimen been changed recently?
Begin the physical examination by taking the patient’s vital signs and checking for hypothermia, dry skin, and hair loss. Then ask the patient to straighten and extend his arms. Are his hands shaking? During the examination, note if the patient shivers or complains of chills. Provide a blanket if necessary.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition), 2006
Herpes simplex:
Diagnosis
(Handbook of Diseases)
Typical lesions may suggest HVH infection. Confirmation requires isolation of the virus from local lesions and a histologic biopsy. A rise in antibodies and moderate leukocytosis may support the diagnosis.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
Common cold:
Diagnosis
(Handbook of Diseases)
No explicit diagnostic test exists to isolate the specific organisms responsible for the common cold. Consequently, the diagnosis rests on a cold’s typically mild, localized, and afebrile upper respiratory tract symptoms. Despite infection, white blood cell count and differential are within normal limits.
A diagnosis must rule out allergic rhinitis, measles, rubella, and other disorders that produce similar early symptoms. A temperature higher than 100° F (37.8° C), severe malaise, anorexia, tachycardia, exudate on the tonsils or throat, petechiae, and tender lymph glands may point to more serious disorders and require additional diagnostic tests.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
Stomatitis and other oral infections:
Diagnosis
(Handbook of Diseases)
Physical examination allows diagnosis. A smear of ulcer exudate allows identification of the causative organism.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
Cold injuries:
Diagnosis
(Handbook of Diseases)
A history of severe and prolonged exposure to cold may make this diagnosis obvious. Nevertheless, hypothermia can be overlooked if outdoor temperatures are above freezing or if the patient is comatose.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
Mouth lesions:
History
(Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)
Begin your evaluation with a thorough history. Ask the patient when the lesions appeared and whether he has noticed any pain, odor, or drainage. Also ask about associated complaints, particularly skin lesions. Obtain a complete drug history, including drug allergies and antibiotic use, and a complete medical history. Note especially any malignancy, sexually transmitted disease, I.V. drug use, recent infection, or trauma. Ask about his dental history, including oral hygiene habits, frequency of dental examinations, and the date of his most recent dental visit.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses, 2007
Mouth lesions:
History and physical examination
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)
Begin your evaluation with a thorough history. Ask the patient when the lesions appeared and whether he has noticed odor or drainage or experienced pain. Also ask about associated complaints, particularly skin lesions. Obtain a complete drug history, including drug allergies and antibiotic use, and a complete medical history. Note especially malignancy, sexually transmitted disease, I.V. drug use, recent infection, or trauma. Ask about his dental history, including oral hygiene habits, the frequency of dental examinations, and the date of his most recent dental visit.
Next, perform a complete oral examination, noting lesion sites and character. Examine the patient's lips for color and texture. Inspect and palpate the buccal mucosa and tongue for color, texture, and contour; note especially painless ulcers on the sides or base of the tongue. Hold the tongue with a piece of gauze, lift it, and examine its underside and the floor of the mouth. Depress the tongue with a tongue blade, and examine the oropharynx. Inspect the teeth and gums, noting missing, broken, or discolored teeth; dental caries; excessive debris; and bleeding, inflamed, swollen, or discolored gums. Note any odor.
Palpate the neck for adenopathy, especially in patients who use tobacco or ingest alcohol excessively.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms, 2007
ORAL OR LINGUAL MASS:
Approach to the Diagnosis
(Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care)
Most of these lesions are referred to the oral surgeon for diagnosis
and treatment, so an elaborate discussion of the workup is unnecessary in a
text of this scope. Obviously, cultures should be made in cases of suspected
infectious granulomas, whereas biopsy or excision is the main diagnostic
tool for neoplasms.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care, 2007
Genital herpes remains one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted diseases, but most don't know they are infected. Learn how to stay safe and...
Adults may already know the new ways to avoid catching and spreading the flu. But you may need to teach these behaviors to kids. Listen to an...
Our parents told us to cover our mouths when we cough. But that might not be the best strategy for flu prevention. Listen to an infection control...
When you have watery eyes, a runny nose, congestion and sneezing, how can you tell if it's a cold or an allergy? Find out the difference and the...
See full list of 4 related videos
» Next page: Signs of Cold sores
Rate This Website
What do you think about the features of this website?
Take our user survey and have your say:
Website User Survey
Medical Tools & Articles:
Next articles:
Tools & Services:
Medical Articles:
Forums & Message Boards
- Ask or answer a question at the Boards:
