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.
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