Clinical features of herpes genitalis.

In a recent survey reported on by the Centers for Disease Control, herpes genitalis was the presenting complaint behind more than 35,000 visits to two clinics in major cities. Herpes genitalis is probably more prevalent today than any other sexually transmitted disease. Type 2 virus accounts for most infections seen; however, type 1 infections are reported more and more often as time passes. Also, there is now evidence suggesting that subclinical infection occurs in women with no antibodies to herpes simplex virus type 1. Meningitis and encephalitis are infrequent sequelae to primary infection, and when encephalitis occurs, the mortality has been reported to be as high as 70% of cases. Mortality in disseminated herpes simplex infection during pregnancy can reach 50% for mother and fetus. In general, signs and symptoms of recurrent infection are milder than those of primary infection.