Urolog. pro Praxi, 2009; 10(1): 25-28

Herpes infections of external genitals

MUDr. Michaela Matoušková

Urocentrum Praha, s.r.o

At least eight herpes viruses are capable of infecting humans. Varicella zoster virus primarily causes chickenpox, a highly contagious

disease, and the activation of a latently present virus causes a neurocutaneous herpes zoster form which may be manifested in the nerves

in the area of the external genitals as well as in other locations. Ulcerative genital lesions are more commonly caused by infections

with herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2. The incidence of genital herpes infections is slowly increasing. The increase is apparent in both

HSV-2 related cases and HSV-1 related diseases.

Diagnostic options of herpes infections have expanded considerably. Antiviral therapy is the first-choice treatment for both acute and

recurrent infections. Recurrent type 2 infections are of concern in which a prophylactic administration of virostatics may be indicated.

In immunologically unaltered patients, however, the administration and benefit of antiviral drugs is controversial. Preventive vaccination

against HSV-2 can be given with success in herpes-naive patients. Recurrent herpes infections as well as other chronic inflammatory

diseases of the lower urinary tract are associated with psychosocial and socioeconomic impacts.

Keywords: herpes infections, HSV, virostatics.

Published: May 1, 2009  Show citation