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Abstract:

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) can occur either as a primary or non-primary infection, or it can result in a recurrent infection as the virus can remain in a latent phase. Patients should be informed that HSV can be contagious even in the absence of actual lesions. For diagnostic purposes genital ulcers should be differentiated by viral culture or PCR and HSV-type specific serology. During pregnancy it is important to treat primary and recurrent HSV infection to prevent a neonatal HSV infection. To suppress HSV several agents do exist. The development of an effective HSV vaccine has yet not been realized. Different HPV types can cause genital warts (mostly types 6, 11) or genital cancers (mostly types 16, 18). Patient information and counseling about genital warts are important. Different treatment modalities for genital warts do exist, and some may be applied by the patient. To prevent a genital cancer two types of HPV vaccines have been developed. The quadrivalent HPV vaccine protects also for genital warts.