HIV: chronic herpes simplex ulcer: practice question

A Dermatology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Dermatology · HIV: chronic herpes simplex ulcer

Sample item

A patient has a persistent, enlarging anogenital herpetic ulcer for 6 weeks despite no immunosuppressive drugs. What does this signify?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. An AIDS-defining condition suggesting advanced HIV

Chronic mucocutaneous herpes simplex ulceration lasting more than one month is an AIDS-defining illness, indicating advanced HIV infection. It needs HIV testing, antiviral therapy and ART. Acyclovir resistance should be considered if the ulcer does not heal.

Option by option

  • A. Primary syphilis

    Primary syphilis gives a painless chancre.

  • B. An AIDS-defining condition suggesting advanced HIV (correct)

    Correct. A persistent HSV ulcer over a month is AIDS-defining.

  • C. Normal healing delay

    A 6-week non-healing ulcer is not normal.

  • D. Contact dermatitis

    Contact dermatitis is not ulcerative like this.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Dermatology questions

Questions about this Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is B, An AIDS-defining condition suggesting advanced HIV. Chronic mucocutaneous herpes simplex ulceration lasting more than one month is an AIDS-defining illness, indicating advanced HIV infection.

Why is "Primary syphilis" not the answer?

Primary syphilis gives a painless chancre.

Why is "Normal healing delay" not the answer?

A 6-week non-healing ulcer is not normal.

Why is "Contact dermatitis" not the answer?

Contact dermatitis is not ulcerative like this.

What concept does this question test?

It tests HIV: chronic herpes simplex ulcer in Dermatology. It needs HIV testing, antiviral therapy and ART. Acyclovir resistance should be considered if the ulcer does not heal.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study HIV: chronic herpes simplex ulcer?

Learn each condition by its primary lesion, site and signature sign. Then use the flashcards and the other Dermatology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.