I. Etiology and clinical manifestations Genital herpes is a blistering, ulcerative, inflammatory disease caused by the herpes simplex virus that infects the skin and mucous membranes of the anus and genitals, and is a sexually transmitted disease. Herpes simplex virus is divided into type I and type II. It used to be thought that genital herpes was caused only by type II virus, and that type I virus would only cause herpes on the lips or face (commonly known as “fire”). However, in recent years, it has been found that genital herpes caused by type I virus is increasing day by day as people’s sexual behavior changes, especially the increase in oral sex. Similarly, oral herpes caused by type II virus has also been reported. Currently, genital herpes is one of the most common STDs in Western countries, second only to non-gonococcal urethritis and gonorrhea, with 10-40% of patients caused by type I virus. Genital herpes causes tremendous physical and mental suffering, with reduced quality of life and interpersonal skills. The disease can cause a series of complications such as disseminated herpes, herpes meningitis, prostatitis, proctitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and spinal nerve root disease. If a pregnant woman is infected with the disease, it can also cause miscarriage and premature birth. Stillbirth and neonatal herpes, which has a very high morbidity and mortality rate. It can also increase the risk of HIV infection in areas where AIDS is prevalent. Herpes without “blisters” The clinical manifestations of genital herpes are varied, ranging from typical clusters of blisters, pustules or ulcers in the anus and genital area to atypical manifestations such as erythema, papules, nodules, boils and small linear ulcers resembling injuries, but those without these skin manifestations are more common. Patients often feel localized skin pain, itching, and burning sensation, which may be accompanied by painful urination, urethritis and enlarged inguinal lymph nodes, fever, malaise, muscle pain, and general malaise. Symptoms are often more pronounced at first onset and less severe at recurrence, and can mostly heal on their own. Generally speaking, it is highly contagious when there are symptoms, but less so when there are no symptoms. The history and clinical manifestations can help the doctor to make a preliminary diagnosis, and virus culture is the gold standard for diagnosis, that is, to take material from the bottom of the blister (women can take material from the cervical area) for tissue culture to isolate the virus, but the technical conditions required are high, and many hospitals and even tertiary hospitals do not carry out this test. Direct detection of viral antigens and smear tests are useful for diagnosis. Third, treatment There are a variety of effective anti-herpes virus drugs put into clinical use, such as acyclovir, vanamycin, famciclovir, etc., but they must be used under the guidance of a doctor. Through medication, the course of the disease can be shortened, lesion healing can be promoted, viral emission can be reduced, infectiousness can be decreased, and even recurrence can be prevented by stopping the establishment of latent infection. Happily, significant progress has been made in research on vaccines to prevent genital herpes infection abroad, and they are being tried in the clinic. However, for infected genital herpes, vaccines do not work. The key to eradicating genital herpes lies in the complete removal of the virus that lurks in the nerve roots. Many clinicians and scientists are looking for ways to do this, but there is still a long way to go, so the best thing to do is to cleanse yourself and stay away from the virus.