Genital Herpes Infection: Progress and Problems

Nicholas Van Wagoner; Fuad Qushair; Christine Johnston

doi:10.1016/j.idc.2023.02.011

Genital Herpes Infection: Progress and Problems

Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2023 Jun;37(2):351-367. doi: 10.1016/j.idc.2023.02.011.

Authors

Nicholas Van Wagoner¹, Fuad Qushair², Christine Johnston³

Affiliations

¹ Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama Heersink School of Medicine, VH 102A, 1720 2nd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA. Electronic address: nvanwagoner@uabmc.edu.
² University of Alabama Heersink School of Medicine, 1720 2nd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
³ Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, 325 9th Avenue Box 359928, Seattle, WA 98104, USA.

PMID: 37105647
DOI: 10.1016/j.idc.2023.02.011

Abstract

Genital herpes (GH) is a sexually transmitted infection causing recurrent, self-limited genital, buttock, and thigh ulcerations. Symptoms range from unrecognized or mild to severe with frequent recurrences. Herpes simplex viruses (HSV) type-1 or type-2 cause GH. HSV establishes latency in sacral ganglia and causes lifelong infection. Viral reactivation leads to genital ulceration or asymptomatic shedding which may lead to transmission. HSV infection during pregnancy can cause fulminant hepatitis and neonatal transmission. Severe and atypical manifestations are seen in immunocompromised people. Guanosine analogs treat symptoms and prevent recurrences, shedding, and transmission. Novel preventive and therapeutic strategies are in development.

Keywords: Genital herpes; Genital ulcer disease; HSV-1; HSV-2; Herpes simplex virus.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Female
Herpes Genitalis* / diagnosis
Herpes Genitalis* / drug therapy
Herpes Genitalis* / prevention & control
Herpes Simplex* / drug therapy
Herpesvirus 1, Human*
Herpesvirus 2, Human
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Pregnancy
Recurrence