title: Herpes simplex virus: a cause for concern.
abstract: Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is one of several sexually transmitted agents receiving increased attention. HSV infection is a serious problem due to: the increasing number of cases; its ability to remain latent in the host and periodically cause recurrent infection; and lack of effective treatment. HSV may be acquired by infants delivered vaginally to a woman experiencing active infection. Neonatal herpes is a devastating disease, with 60% overall mortality and serious sequelae in many of the survivors. Infection by HSV is detected most reliably by virus culture, but cytology or direct antigen detection may also be useful especially when culture is not available.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007158:Immunologic Techniques; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology; D014776:Virus Cultivation