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Psychological Symptoms Associated with Genital Herpes Virus Infections

Epidemiology and Approaches to Management

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Abstract

Genital herpes is a common, chronic, recurrent, viral sexually transmitted infection (STI) occurring worldwide. The first episode may be severe and prolonged, but most recurrences are usually short lived and minor. Although most individuals with this infection have no symptoms, STIs, including genital herpes, often cause psychological and psychosexual morbidity. Unfortunately, the existing data on the psychological symptoms associated with genital herpes have many limitations, including anecdotal reporting, evaluation of small and selected populations, use of varied and sometimes unevaluated questionnaires, and lack of controls. Some individuals with recurrent genital herpes display a range of emotional responses, including depression, anguish, distress, anger, diminution of self-esteem and hostility towards the person believed to be the source of infection. However, it is always important to consider the possibility of pre-existing psychopathology. Several retrospective studies have suggested that stress could lead to recurrences of genital herpes infection. However, prospective studies have been unable to demonstrate any relationship between pre-existing stress and recurrences. What these studies were able to demonstrate was that stress and recurrences occurred simultaneously, suggesting that perhaps it was the recurrences that were causing stress, rather than the reverse.

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No sources of funding were used to assist in the preparation of this review. The authors have no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this review.

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Mindel, A., Marks, C. Psychological Symptoms Associated with Genital Herpes Virus Infections. CNS Drugs 19, 303–312 (2005). https://doi.org/10.2165/00023210-200519040-00003

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