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Case 1: Herpes Simplex Virus Infection

You answered:

B The most appropriate therapy for this lesion would be valganciclovir (Valcyte) 900 mg PO bid x 4 weeks.

This answer is incorrect. Valganciclovir (Valcyte) is an antiviral compound with excellent activity against cytomegalovirus and moderate activity against HSV. Ganciclovir is not considered a recommended drug for the treatment of HSV infections.

Choose another answer:

A When performing a fluorescent antibody (FA) and culture for HSV, scraping the base of the lesion will provide a higher yield than obtaining exudative fluid.
C The diagnosis of chronic (longer than 4 weeks) ulcerative herpes simplex is an AIDS-defining condition, regardless of CD4 cell count.
D Answers A and C are correct.

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