A COMPARISON OF REFERRAL PATTERNS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF PATIENTS WITH FIRST EPISODE SYMPTOMATIC GENITAL HSV-1 AND HSV-2 INFECTIONS IN SHEFFIELD

Objective: To ascertain factors associated with HSV-1 and HSV-2 isolat es in patients attending a genitourinary medicine clinic with symptoma tic first episode genital herpes (FEGH). Design: Retrospective study. Subjects: A total of 606 females and 333 males presenting with culture positive FEGH between 1990-94. Setting: Department of Genitourinary M edicine, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, UK. Methods: Group com parison of referral patterns, demographic data, prior and concurrent e pisodes of STD, recent partner change. Results: HSV-1 infected patient s of either sex were more likely to be general practitioner (GP) refer red, to be white, and less likely to have had preceding STD episodes. Recent sexual partner change had occurred significantly more often in HSV-2 infected females but there was no similar difference between HSV -1 and HSV-2 infected males. Conclusion: The relative HSV-1:HSV-2 isol ate ratio in FEGH is influenced by the referral patterns. HSV-1 isolat es predominate in patients presenting to GPs who refer the patients to GUM clinics for accurate diagnosis, counselling, follow up and screen ing for other STDs.