Eczema Herpeticum and Clinical Criteria for Investigating Smallpox

Abstract

Eczema herpeticum can clinically resemble smallpox. On the basis of the algorithm for rapid evaluation of patients with an acute generalized vesiculopustular rash illness, our patient met criteria for high risk for smallpox. The Tzanck preparation was critical for rapid diagnosis of herpetic infection and exclusion of smallpox.

Keywords

• Eczema herpeticum
• smallpox
• tzanck preparation
• viruses
• dispatch
• United States