Medical Care

Parapoxvirus infections typically have a benign and self-limited course and no specific treatment is necessary.

Immunocompromised patients or those with large, progressive, or disseminated lesions may benefit from the following interventions:

Topical cidofovir^{[26, 27]}
Topical imiquimod^[28]
Antimicrobials for bacterial superinfection

Idoxuridine application may have utility with eye involvement.

Surgical Care

Surgical debridement or excision may be necessary in rare cases that are progressive or destructive.

Consultations

A veterinarian may be helpful in diagnosing parapoxvirus infection in the animal host and in controlling outbreaks.

Medication

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Author

Luke Bloomquist, MD Combat Aviation Brigade Surgeon, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, Texas

Luke Bloomquist, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Family Physicians, Society of US Army Flight Surgeons

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Gary P Holmes, MD, FSHEA, FIDSA Joint Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Texas A&M University School of Rural Public Health

Gary P Holmes, MD, FSHEA, FIDSA is a member of the following medical societies: American Society for Microbiology, Armed Forces Infectious Diseases Society, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Received salary from Medscape for employment. for: Medscape.

Thomas M Kerkering, MD Chief of Infectious Diseases, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine

Thomas M Kerkering, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American College of Physicians, American Public Health Association, American Society for Microbiology, American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Medical Society of Virginia, Wilderness Medical Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Michael Stuart Bronze, MD David Ross Boyd Professor and Chairman, Department of Medicine, Stewart G Wolf Endowed Chair in Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center; Master of the American College of Physicians; Fellow, Infectious Diseases Society of America; Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, London

Michael Stuart Bronze, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American College of Physicians, American Medical Association, Association of Professors of Medicine, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Oklahoma State Medical Association, Southern Society for Clinical Investigation

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

Pranatharthi Haran Chandrasekar, MBBS, MD Professor, Chief of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, Wayne State University School of Medicine

Pranatharthi Haran Chandrasekar, MBBS, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Physicians, American Society for Microbiology, International Immunocompromised Host Society, Infectious Diseases Society of America

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Acknowledgements

The authors and editors of Medscape Reference gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous authors Larry I Lutwick, MD, and Adam M Rotunda, MD, to the development and writing of this article.