Who is primarily affected by herpetic whitlow?

Who is primarily affected by herpetic whitlow?

• A. Children
• B. Dental and medical workers
• C. All adults
• D. Patients with skin conditions

Answer: (B)

Herpetic whitlow primarily affects dental and medical workers due to their increased exposure to the herpes simplex virus through direct contact with infected bodily fluids, particularly during procedures that may cause injury to the skin, such as handling instruments or caring for patients with herpes lesions. These professionals are often at a higher risk because they may come into contact with the virus from sores or lesions on patients, leading to infection on their own hands or fingers where breaks in the skin might exist. In contrast, while children can also contract the virus, they are not specifically targeted by the conditions that make dental and medical workers more vulnerable. Similarly, while all adults can be susceptible to the virus, it is not a specific group that is primarily affected. Patients with skin conditions might seem like a relevant group, but herpetic whitlow specifically relates to those in healthcare settings rather than a broader category of individuals with skin concerns. Therefore, the focus is on workers in these fields.

Herpetic whitlow primarily affects dental and medical workers due to their increased exposure to the herpes simplex virus through direct contact with infected bodily fluids, particularly during procedures that may cause injury to the skin, such as handling instruments or caring for patients with herpes lesions. These professionals are often at a higher risk because they may come into contact with the virus from sores or lesions on patients, leading to infection on their own hands or fingers where breaks in the skin might exist.

In contrast, while children can also contract the virus, they are not specifically targeted by the conditions that make dental and medical workers more vulnerable. Similarly, while all adults can be susceptible to the virus, it is not a specific group that is primarily affected. Patients with skin conditions might seem like a relevant group, but herpetic whitlow specifically relates to those in healthcare settings rather than a broader category of individuals with skin concerns. Therefore, the focus is on workers in these fields.