In recent years, the rate of genital infections caused by Herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1, HSV-2) has increased. Following primary infection with HSV-2, recurrent genital herpes (GH) often develops or asymptomatic virus shedding occurs. HSV-1-induced GH recurrencies are significantly less frequent. The options for diagnosing HSV infections have improved markedly: they include determination of type-specific antibodies in the blood (anti-HSV-1 and anti-HSV-2), culture of HSV from lesions or detection of viral antigens by immunohistochemistry methods; it is also possible to detect viral DNA by polymerase chain reaction. At present, recurrent genital herpes is treated by the so-called episodic therapy or suppressor antiviral therapy, in the Czech Republic based on acyclovir or valacyclovir. Preventive measures are possible only to a limited extent, particular attention is paid to pregnant women and the risk of disseminated herpes infection in newborns. New preventive and therapeutic options continue to be developed: a preventive vaccine against HSV-2 has been successfully tested, but this is effective only in HSV-1 negative women; experimental therapeutic vaccination stimulating specific immunity has not yet been successful.

Department of Infectious Diseases 1st Medical Faculty Charles University Prague Czech Republic