[Advances in epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of genital herpes]

Changes in sexual behavior may constitute an important contribution to relative increase in genital herpes. Many research results suggest that HSV-2 plays a big part in the transmission of HIV infection. There is an urgent need to identify effective HSV-2 control measures in order to reduce HIV incidence. The detection of HSV-2-specific antibodies in serum is especially useful and reliable. During the past 2 decades, selective and specific inhibitors of replication have been developed. Such agents as acyclovir, valaciclovir and famciclovir, have reduced the time of healing and the possibility of virus excretion. Efforts have been made in different directions including the exploration of new targets for antiviral chemotherapy, the use of immunomodulators and the development of specific vaccines.