Management of recurrent genital herpes: a survey of UK genitourinary medicine clinics in 2003.

We carried out a survey of all UK genitourinary (GU) medicine clinics, via postal questionnaire, in order to evaluate the current management of recurrent genital herpes (RGH) in the GU medicine setting. Respondents were invited to answer questions regarding various aspects of herpes simplex virus (HSV) management. There was a 62% response rate. Analysis of the returned surveys revealed that the vast majority of clinics (96%) provided drug treatment for RGH, with 81% having a clinic policy for the management of genital herpes (GH). A majority (64%) of clinics had access to some type of counselling or psychological therapy and 47% encouraged collaboration with primary care for follow-up prescribing. Of the clinics providing drug therapy for RGH, 80% used aciclovir alone with smaller numbers having access to aciclovir, famciclovir and valaciclovir. While many clinics are meeting the British Association of Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) guidelines, improvements can be made to increase the availability of psychological support to patients with HSV and improve links with primary care.