European guideline for the management of genital herpes

Abstract

First infection with either herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) or type 2 (HSV-2) is termed primary infection and results in either symptomatic disease at the site of viral entry (i.e. around the mouth or around the genital area) or asymptomatic and hence unrecognized disease. In addition there may be systemic symptoms as with other acute viral illnesses. Following infection, the virus becomes latent in the local sensory ganglion, periodically reactivating to cause symptomatic lesions or asymptomatic, but none the less infectious, viral shedding. Genital herpes can be caused by either HSV-1 (the usual cause of oro-labial herpes) or by HSV-2. Infection with either virus can cause an identical initial illness. However, subsequent recurrence frequency is greater for HSV-2 than HSV1 disease1.