Survey of the management of genital herpes in general practice

In a questionnaire survey of the management and treatment of genital herpes in the community by general practitioners (GPs) in 16 UK cities considered to have good access to genitourinary services, the mean number of cases seen per GP in the previous 12 months was 1.37 for first episodes and 0.96 cases for recurrent episode genital herpes. First episode genital herpes was regularly managed solely in the community by 21% of responding GPs, while 45% of those referring directly to the genitourinary medicine clinic initiated treatment prior to referral; the vast majority prescribing acyclovir. Overall, three-quarters of GPs prescribed oral acyclovir for first episode genital herpes. Recurrent genital herpes was regularly treated solely in the community by 47% of responding GPs, while 53% of those referring directly to the genitourinary medicine clinic initiated treatment prior to referral. There was almost equal usage between acyclovir cream and tablets in the treatment of recurrent infections.