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Herpes Genitalis

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European Handbook of Dermatological Treatments

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Abstract

Genital herpes is a chronic viral infection in the genital area caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 or type 2 (HSV-1, HSV-2). It is one of the several reasons of the genital ulcer disease (GUD) with recurrent blisters and painful erosions in the same area of the skin. Most cases of recurrent genital herpes are caused by HSV-2. Atypical clinical lesions and unclear manifestations should be confirmed by laboratory diagnosis using the PCR as the gold standard method for the diagnosis and identification of HSV-1 or HSV-2. The appropriate treatment with nucleoside analogues is recommended for first episodes as well as for painful recurrent genital herpes and should start as soon as possible and with high dosages. It offers clinical benefit for symptomatic individuals, partners, and neonates and can reduce the number of herpetic recurrences and asymptomatic viral shedding.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Head of the Outpatients’ Centre for STI, Vienna, Austria

    Angelika Stary

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  1. Angelika Stary
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Correspondence to Angelika Stary .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Andreas Syggros Hospital, Athens State University, Athens, Greece

    Andreas D. Katsambas

  2. Research Center CSRMR, Marconi University, Rome, Roma, Italy

    Torello M. Lotti

  3. Andreas Syggros Hospital, Athens State University, Athens, Greece

    Clio Dessinioti

  4. Dermatoloy Unit, Livorno Hospital, Livorno, Italy

    Angelo Massimiliano D'Erme

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Stary, A. (2023). Herpes Genitalis. In: Katsambas, A.D., Lotti, T.M., Dessinioti, C., D'Erme, A.M. (eds) European Handbook of Dermatological Treatments. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-15130-9_37

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-15130-9_37

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-15129-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-15130-9

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