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Herpes Simplex

Naureen Bashir Rafiq, FAAFP, MD Reviewed 04/2024
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Characteristic vesicular rash primarily located in oral and genital regions caused by infection with HSV-1 and HSV-2

  • Historically, HSV-1 and HSV-2 caused infection in different areas...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Many patients are unaware of a known exposure.

  • Prodrome of fatigue, low-grade fever, itching, tingling, for several days prior to primary outbreak

  • Prodrome of pain, burning, tingling, a...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Symptom management while lesions heal

  • Cool dressings moistened with aluminum acetate solution

  • For genital lesions: Pour a cup of warm water over genitals or sit in a warm bath ...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Follow-up not usually necessary. Lesions and symptoms resolve within 10 days. Extensive cases should be rechecked in 1 week; monitor for secondary bacterial infec...

REFERENCES

1
McQuillan G, Kruszon-Moran D, Flagg EW, et al. Prevalence of HPV in Adults Aged 18-69: United States, 2011-2014. NCHS Data Brief. 2017:(280):1-8.
PMID: 28463105.
2
Sau...

ADDITIONAL READING

Groves MJ. Genital Herpes: A Review. Am Family Physician. 2016;93(11):928-934.  

SEE ALSO

  • Herpes, Genital

  • Algorithm: Genital Ulcers

CODES

ICD10

  • B00 Herpesviral [herpes simplex] infections

  • B00.0 Eczema herpeticum

  • B00.1 Herpesviral vesicular dermatitis

  • B00.2 Herpesviral gingivostomatitis and pharyngotonsillitis

  • B00.3 Herpesviral meningit...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • 25–30% of the U.S. population has serologic evidence of genital herpes (HSV-2), and >80% is seropositive for HSV-1.

  • Most individuals are unaware they are infected, allowing for asymp...

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