Summary
Definition
History and exam
Key diagnostic factors
- dysuria (in women)
- lymphadenopathy
- genital ulcer
- oral ulcer
- fever
Risk factors
- HIV infection (risk factor for clinical disease)
- immunosuppressive medications (risk factor for clinical disease)
- female sex (risk factor for seropositivity)
- black race (risk factor for seropositivity)
- increasing age (risk factor for seropositivity)
- high-risk sexual behavior (risk factor for seropositivity)
- lack of condom use (risk factor for seropositivity)
Diagnostic investigations
1st investigations to order
- viral culture
- HSV polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
- Glycoprotein G-based type-specific serology (gG1 and gG2)
Treatment algorithm
Contributors
Authors
Attending Physician
Division of Hospital Medicine
MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
Washington
DC
Disclosures
BDL declares that he has no competing interests.
Dr Benjamin D. Lorenz would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr Christine Johnson and Dr Anna Wald, previous contributors to this topic.
Disclosures
CJ reports funding from AiCuris; grants from Agenus, Gilead, Genocea, Sanofi, and Vical to conduct clinical research studies; and royalties from Up To Date. AW reports grants from Agenus, Gilead, Genocea, Sanofi, and Vical to conduct clinical research studies. AW receives royalties from Up To Date. AW is an NIH grant recipient (NIH AI30731 and AI071113) and a consultant for Aicuris, Eisai, and Amgen.
Peer reviewers
Associate Professor
Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences
School of Dentistry
University of Palermo
Palermo
Italy
Disclosures
GP declares that he has no competing interests.
Professor of Medicine
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill
NC
Disclosures
PL declares that he has no competing interests.
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