title: Genital herpes simplex.
abstract: This paper has outlined the etiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and management of genital herpes. It is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases, chronic in nature, and directly impacts a person's sexuality and reproductive function. As the prevalence of genital herpes simplex increases, nurses will be in the critical role of facilitating the patient's successful adaptation to this chronic disease. Nurses need to encourage patients to look at how they can best accommodate the change of events in their life, providing them with accurate, nonjudgmental information. Recommendations for palliative treatment of symptoms and preventive measures for recurrences and referral to support groups are well within the nurse's scope of practice. Counseling in the areas of body image, self-acceptance, and relationships may be warranted. Acknowledgment of and allowing time for ventilation of feelings will aid in the successful management of the disease. Nurses can enhance the patient's well being at a very vulnerable time in his or her life.
authors.affiliation: University of Colorado, Boulder.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Breslin
mesh_terms: D003376:Counseling; D005260:Female; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010353:Patient Education as Topic