[Herpes labialis and genitalis in general medicine]

The purpose of this study was to determine the respective importance of herpes labialis and genitalis in patients consulting general practitioners and ascertain their knowledge and opinions concerning herpes labialis and genitalis in order to analyze patient behavior in case of flare-ups.

A questionnaire was proposed to a representative sample of patients aged 15 years and older seen at consultation by 49 general practitioners participating in the General Medicine Observatory of the French Society of General Practitioners.

Among the 4,403 patients who responded, a known history of herpes labialis was reported by 39. 9 p.100 and of herpes genitalis by 2.5 p.100. Their answers to the questions demonstrated insufficient knowledge of avoidable risks of herpes as a sexually transmitted disease, with very significant misunderstanding by men. Among the 1,711 patients who had experienced herpes labialis, 62.9 p.100 initiated self-medication, 29 p.100 preferred to wait and see and 7.5 p.100 sought medical assistance. Among the 108 patients who had experienced herpes genitalis, at the last flare-up 40 p.100 initiated self-medication, 7.5 p.100 preferred to wait and see and 52 p.100 sought medical assistance. The general practitioner was the first physician consulted for both types of herpes.

This study illustrates the importance of herpes infections in the general medicine patients. It also confirms that new interventional strategies are needed both for health care and for health education.