The importance of diagnosing genital herpes

Genital herpes is the result of infection by herpes simplex virus type 2 (H SV-5) and, to a lesser extent, HSV-1. Recent years have seen a rise in the prevalence of genital HSV infection in both industrialized and developing c ountries. The main factors attributed to the spread of HSV infection Includ e asymptomatic virus shedding, and under-recognition and under-diagnosis of the disease. At the level of the individual patient, genital herpes is ass ociated with significant psychosocial morbidity and complications such as n eonatal herpes, the result of transmission of HSV from mother to baby. HSV- 2 infection is also implicated in the transmission and acquisition of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). As genital HSV infection has substantial pub lic health implications, increased awareness of the disease and its prevale nce, together with better use of diagnostic tests, may be one step towards more effective management and infection control.