An adolescent patient with perianal herpes as a finding of child abuse: Case report

Abstract

Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) type 1 and type 2, is transmitted via sexual or non sexual routes, leading to oral, genital or anal infections. HSV type 1 presents with oral lesions rather than genital lesions in small children. Therefore, in a child with type 1 infection in genital or anal region, the probability of auto-inoculation from oral lesion should be considered. As to genital or anal HSV type 2 infection is transmitted mostly via sexual route, non-sexual auto-inoculation not being described for it. Such infections detected in anal and genital regions in children suggest sexual abuse. The aim of this case report is to present and discuss an adolescent patient with herpetic vesicles in perianal regions who was subjected to sexual abuse.