ABSTRACT
Herpes simplex viruses (HSV) infect a majority of the world population. Traditionally, the causative viral subtypes have been associated with different anatomical sites of infection. HSV-1 is usually associated with non-sexually acquired orolabial and extragenital conditions commonly encountered in childhood, while HSV-2 is generally viewed as the cause of sexually acquired genital infections seen in adults. The natural history of genital herpes is similar to that of other herpesvirus infections. Primary infection is predisposed by inflamed or damaged genital epithelial surfaces such as can be caused by infections, such as candidosis or bacterial vaginosis, trauma, or genital dermatoses. Local acute complications include those of secondary bacterial or yeast infection of lesions, swelling and fibrinous adhesions causing phimosis in males or labial adhesions in females. Genital herpes recurrences are self-limiting and generally cause minor symptoms, so that many individuals require no more than supportive therapy.
