{
  "schema_version": 1,
  "kind": "condition",
  "id": "herpetic-whitlow",
  "name": "Herpetic Whitlow (HSV of the finger)",
  "category": "infectious",
  "sources": "Egyptian National Drug Formulary - Antimicrobial 2023, acyclovir monograph (chapter PDF p143), mucocutaneous herpes simplex dosing",
  "review_status": "reviewed",
  "verified_against": "Egyptian National Drug Formulary - Antimicrobial 2023, acyclovir monograph (chapter PDF p143), mucocutaneous herpes simplex dosing",
  "verified_date": "2026-08",
  "treatments": [
    {
      "id": 938,
      "generic": "Acyclovir",
      "line": 1,
      "is_adjunct": false,
      "form": "oral.solid",
      "strength_mg": 400.0,
      "adult_dose": "400 mg three times daily, or 200 mg five times daily, for 7 to 10 days. Start as early as possible - it works best within 48 hours of the first symptom",
      "adult_duration": "7 to 10 days",
      "dose_source": "Egyptian National Drug Formulary - Antimicrobial 2023, acyclovir monograph (chapter PDF p143), mucocutaneous herpes simplex dosing",
      "rationale": "The formulary does not name herpetic whitlow. This is its dose for mucocutaneous herpes simplex, and whitlow is a cutaneous HSV infection of the finger. No Egyptian source names the condition separately, and the entry says so rather than implying one does.",
      "cautions": [
        "DO NOT INCISE OR DRAIN IT. Whitlow is viral, incision does not help, and it risks spreading the infection and causing herpetic encephalitis in the operator or the patient.",
        "It is commonly mistaken for a bacterial paronychia or felon, which ARE drained - the difference is grouped vesicles on an erythematous base, and often severe pain out of proportion to what is visible.",
        "Occupational in dentists, nurses and anyone working near the mouth; it is a recognised reason for time away from clinical work while lesions are open.",
        "Cover the lesion. It sheds virus and is contagious until crusted.",
        "The formulary does not name whitlow - this is its mucocutaneous herpes simplex regimen.",
        "Recurrent or severe attacks, or any immunosuppression, need specialist advice."
      ],
      "peds_mgkg_low": null,
      "peds_mgkg_high": null,
      "peds_max_mg": null,
      "peds_basis": null,
      "peds_unit": null,
      "peds_note": "Paediatric aciclovir is dosed by age band and by indication in the formulary, and it does not band whitlow. Dose from the child's weight and age against the formulary's mucocutaneous herpes simplex figures rather than from the figures here.",
      "peds_min_weight_kg": null,
      "peds_max_weight_kg": null,
      "peds_age_min_months": null,
      "peds_age_max_months": null,
      "peds_age_bands": null,
      "peds_doses": null,
      "brands": [
        {
          "trade_name": "VIRUSTAT 400 MG 35 TABS.",
          "scientific_name": null,
          "normalized_ingredient": null,
          "manufacturer": "PHAROPHARMA",
          "price_egp": 168.0,
          "pack_count": 35,
          "unit_price": 4.8,
          "strength_mg": 400.0,
          "exact_strength": true,
          "exact_form": true,
          "discontinued": false,
          "also_contains": null
        },
        {
          "trade_name": "ZOVIRAX 400MG 10 TAB.",
          "scientific_name": null,
          "normalized_ingredient": null,
          "manufacturer": "GLAXO SMITHKLINE",
          "price_egp": 49.0,
          "pack_count": 10,
          "unit_price": 4.9,
          "strength_mg": 400.0,
          "exact_strength": true,
          "exact_form": true,
          "discontinued": false,
          "also_contains": null
        },
        {
          "trade_name": "ACIVIRAX 400MG 30 TABS.",
          "scientific_name": null,
          "normalized_ingredient": null,
          "manufacturer": "MASH PREMIERE",
          "price_egp": 162.0,
          "pack_count": 30,
          "unit_price": 5.4,
          "strength_mg": 400.0,
          "exact_strength": true,
          "exact_form": true,
          "discontinued": false,
          "also_contains": null
        },
        {
          "trade_name": "LOVIR 400 MG 10 ORAL DISP. TABS.",
          "scientific_name": null,
          "normalized_ingredient": null,
          "manufacturer": "SUN PHARMA EGYPT LIMITED > RANBAXY",
          "price_egp": 76.0,
          "pack_count": null,
          "unit_price": null,
          "strength_mg": 400.0,
          "exact_strength": true,
          "exact_form": true,
          "discontinued": false,
          "also_contains": null
        },
        {
          "trade_name": "BORGAVIRAX 200MG/5ML SUSP. 125 ML",
          "scientific_name": null,
          "normalized_ingredient": null,
          "manufacturer": "BORG",
          "price_egp": 61.0,
          "pack_count": null,
          "unit_price": null,
          "strength_mg": 200.0,
          "exact_strength": false,
          "exact_form": false,
          "discontinued": false,
          "also_contains": null
        },
        {
          "trade_name": "VIRUSTAT 200MG/5ML SUSP. 120 ML",
          "scientific_name": null,
          "normalized_ingredient": null,
          "manufacturer": "PHAROPHARMA",
          "price_egp": 61.0,
          "pack_count": null,
          "unit_price": null,
          "strength_mg": 200.0,
          "exact_strength": false,
          "exact_form": false,
          "discontinued": false,
          "also_contains": null
        }
      ],
      "condition_id": "herpetic-whitlow"
    }
  ]
}