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Genital herpes simplex infections
1Department of Family Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland.
Primary Care
|March 1, 1990
Summary
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a common STD. While acyclovir manages symptoms, it doesn't prevent recurrences, and asymptomatic shedding drives transmission, requiring more research.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Virology
- Public Health
Background:
- Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is a growing sexually transmitted disease.
- Primary infections are severe; recurrences are milder.
- Tissue culture is the gold standard for HSV detection and typing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current understanding of HSV infection management.
- To evaluate the utility of surveillance cultures in pregnant women.
- To assess acyclovir's role in HSV management and viral shedding.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of HSV infection and management strategies.
- Analysis of evidence regarding routine surveillance cultures in pregnant women.
- Evaluation of acyclovir's efficacy in symptom control and recurrence prevention.
Main Results:
- Routine surveillance cultures in pregnant women with HSV history offer no clinical benefit.
- Vaginal delivery is acceptable if no visible lesions are present.
- Acyclovir controls symptoms and speeds healing but does not reduce recurrence frequency.
Conclusions:
- Current management guidelines for pregnant women with HSV need refinement.
- Asymptomatic viral shedding is a major transmission route.
- Further research is needed on acyclovir's role in suppressing asymptomatic HSV shedding.