Viral Venereal Diseases of the Skin

Am J Clin Dermatol. 2021 Jul;22(4):523-540. doi: 10.1007/s40257-021-00606-7. Epub 2021 May 18.

Abstract

Viral venereal diseases remain difficult to treat. Human papilloma virus (HPV) and herpes simplex virus (HSV) are two common viral venereal diseases. HPV infections are characterized by anogenital warts and less commonly by premalignant or malignant lesions. HSV infections classically present as grouped vesicles on an erythematous base with associated burning or pain; however, immunosuppressed patients may have atypical presentations with nodular or ulcerative lesions. This review discusses the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of anogenital HPV and HSV infections with an emphasis on treatment modalities for the practicing dermatologist. Diagnosis of these diseases typically relies on clinical assessment, although multiple diagnostic techniques can be utilized and are recommended when diagnosis is uncertain or evaluating an individual with increased risk of malignancy. Management of HPV and HSV infections involves appropriate counseling, screening, and multiple treatment techniques. Particularly for HPV infections, a practitioner may need to use a combination of techniques to achieve the desired outcome.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alphapapillomavirus / isolation & purification
  • Combined Modality Therapy / methods
  • Combined Modality Therapy / standards
  • Counseling / standards
  • Dermatology / methods
  • Dermatology / standards
  • Herpesviridae / isolation & purification
  • Herpesviridae Infections / diagnosis*
  • Herpesviridae Infections / epidemiology
  • Herpesviridae Infections / therapy
  • Herpesviridae Infections / transmission
  • Humans
  • Mass Screening / standards
  • Papillomavirus Infections / diagnosis*
  • Papillomavirus Infections / epidemiology
  • Papillomavirus Infections / therapy
  • Papillomavirus Infections / transmission
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral / diagnosis*
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral / epidemiology
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral / therapy
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral / transmission
  • Skin / pathology
  • Skin / virology
  • Skin Diseases, Viral / diagnosis*
  • Skin Diseases, Viral / epidemiology
  • Skin Diseases, Viral / therapy
  • Skin Diseases, Viral / transmission