Hyperaesthesia Following Genital Herpes: A Case Report

Catriona Ooi,Vijay Zawar

doi:10.1155/2011/903595

Abstract

We report an adult female patient who presented with sacral radiculopathy as incapacitating dysthesias following primary genital herpes simplex, which later recurred. Despite use of systemic antiviral treatment, the painful syndrome in our patient persisted. The success in treatment was seen only after the addition of amitriptyline hydrochloride. The case is being presented here for its rare manifestation and novel use of amitriptyline hydrochloride.

Highlights

We report an adult female patient who presented with sacral radiculopathy as incapacitating dysthesias following primary genital herpes simplex, which later recurred
We present the case of a 64-year-old female teacher who presented to the sexual health clinic in Newcastle, Australia
The blisters resolved within five days; she developed burning and exquisite sensitivity to touch in both inner thighs and in the left buttock extending down the left leg and including the sole of the left foot and toes. She found that at times, she was unable to walk and sit. She returned to her primary care doctor (PCD) who continued valacyclovir for another week; the burning persisted

Summary

Introduction

We report an adult female patient who presented with sacral radiculopathy as incapacitating dysthesias following primary genital herpes simplex, which later recurred. Despite use of systemic antiviral treatment, the painful syndrome in our patient persisted. On presentation to the sexual health clinic, the patient had completed six weeks of valacyclovir 500 mg bd with minimal improvement.

Results

Conclusion