All patients should be tested for syphilis and other STDs. Patients on suppressive treatment for recurrences should be seen at one to three month intervals. Complications Severe dysuria with urinary retention may require hospitalisation. Meningoencephalitis is rare. The commonest complication is multiple recurrences over a period of months or years.
Most patients experience one episode only, i.e. without any recurrences.
Emotional and physical stresses are likely to perpetuate recurrences. Management of sex partners Partners should be assessed for signs or past symptoms of genital or oral herpes, and tested for other sexually transmissible diseases. Antiviral treatment is only indicated if troublesome symptoms are present. ABC of sexually transmitted diseases. Herpes Simplex Viruses.