title: Genital infection with type 2 herpes simplex virus. A common venereal disease.
abstract: Current evidence leaves little doubt that genital herpes is primarily a venereal disease. Like gonorrhea, it is frequently subclinical or asymptomatic. A high rate of infection is found among patients attending venereal disease clinics and among persons of low socioeconomic status. The infection (primary or recurrent) is generally self-limiting, but in a pregnant woman it poses a significant risk to the fetus. It also has been linked to an increased risk of cervical cancer. The Papanicolaou smear is a useful tool for early detection. Effective antiviral therapy for genital herpes is unavailable. Photodynamic inactivation appears promising in recurrent herpes but may be hazardous; malignant transformation of infected cells subjected to this process has been demonstrated in vitro.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D010789:Phototherapy; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents