As one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases, genital herpes is a global medical problem with significant physical and psychological morbidity. Genital herpes is caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 or type 2 and can manifest as primary and/or recurrent infection. This manuscript provides an overview about the fundamental knowledge on the virus, its epidemiology, and infection. Furt...

The frequent occurrence of genital herpes continues to be a serious clinical problem. Although not life threatening, the physical symptoms of the disease, and the ensuing psychosocial complications, can be overwhelming to patients. The life cycle of the herpes simplex virus is complex, comprising multiple stages. Following infection, the virus establishes life-long latency in its host and can r...

BACKGROUND The objective of this research was to investigate the effect of the topical application of honey on recurrent attacks of herpes lesions, labial and genital, as compared to acyclovir cream. MATERIAL/METHODS Sixteen adult patients with a history of recurrent attacks of herpetic lesions, 8 labial and 8 genital, were treated by topical application of honey for one attack and acyclovir ...

In 2007, the most effective means to acquire lifelong immunity to genital herpes will be to engage in romantic activity with a partner who is infected with herpes simplex virus (HSV)-2. Three out of four people who acquire HSV-2 in this manner are blissfully unaware of the molecular hitchhikers that they will carry for life, hidden away in neurons of their peripheral nervous system. Such person...

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to determine whether the proportion of cesarean deliveries in pregnant women with a history of genital herpes and no active lesions at birth is higher than that in women with no history of genital herpes, and to determine whether this risk was modified by birth facilities' underlying prevalence of cesarean delivery. METHODS This was a retrospective surv...

To examine the risks of genital herpes and antiherpes treatment during pregnancy in relation to preterm delivery (PTD), we conducted a multicenter, member-based cohort study within 4 Kaiser Permanente regions: northern and southern California, Colorado, and Georgia. The study included 662,913 mother-newborn pairs from 1997 to 2010. Pregnant women were classified into 3 groups based on genital h...

BACKGROUND Topical or systemic antiviral drugs reduce the duration of genital herpes recurrences but may not always alleviate functional symptoms. OBJECTIVES To assess the efficacy and safety of oxygenated glycerol triesters-based CS21 barrier genital gel(®) vs. topical aciclovir and placebo (vehicle) in resolving functional symptoms and in healing of genital herpes recurrences. METHODS A p...

OBJECTIVE To assess the effect of cesarean delivery on neonatal and maternal morbidity and mortality and their associated costs for two populations of women presenting with genital herpes lesions at delivery: those with and those without a history of genital herpes. DATA SOURCES MEDLINE (search for herpes simplex virus and neonatal, cesarean, and mortality) and recognized experts. DATA EXTR...

BACKGROUND The recognition that sexually transmitted infections (STI) facilitate HIV transmission among heterosexuals has led to a rejuvenated focus on improving STI control as a component of HIV prevention programmes in developing countries. While efforts so far have focused mainly on all STI, there is increasing evidence that genital ulcers facilitate a considerable proportion of HIV transmis...