ABSTRACT
In the early 1980s, the overriding patient fear was the acquisition of genital herpes, and the physician's knowledge of this infection was totally focused on symptomatic patients and how to recognize and counsel them. An antibody-mediated immune response to genital herpes virus infection readily occurs as evidenced by the accuracy of serological tests to determine exposure to herpes simplex virus type-1 and herpes simplex virus type-2. Proper diagnosis requires a physician to be alert to the possibility of a genital herpes infection. The treatment of genital herpes is an important first step but must be accompanied by effective retroviral therapy for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Patients who are HIV positive present specific new problems for the physician. These immuno-compromised women can have severe episodes of genital herpes that often are prolonged and painful. Effective episodic treatment must be given within a day of the appearance of lesions or ideally with prodromal symptoms.
