Master the diagnosis and management of Genital Herpes with tips from expert, Robert Bettiker MD . Topics include: the natural history, diagnosis & screening guidelines for genital herpes; cold sores; options for primary and recurrent episodes including prophylaxis; and consideration of specific populations including symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, pregnancy and MSM (men who have sex with men). We also discuss partner notification and treatment.
Full show notes available at http://thecurbsiders.com/podcast. Rate us on iTunes, recommend a guest or topic and give feedback at thecurbsiders@gmail.com.
Written and produced by: Kate Grant MBChB DipGUMed
Images by: Kate Grant MBChB DipGUMed
Hosts: Stuart Brigham MD, Paul Williams MD, Matthew Watto MD
Guest: Robert Bettiker MD
Make the sexual history routine. Get comfortable with a common script that you ask your patients, and do not be deterred by an initial vague answer.
Transmission of genital herpes: No need to worry if both partners are seropositive for HSV2 IgG. Consider daily suppressive valacyclovir in serodiscordant couples since asymptomatic shedding is common and condom use alone cannot provide reliable protection.
Counseling: Avoid sexual intercourse during prodromal symptoms (eg tingling, burning) and during active outbreaks.
HSV1 vs HSV2: Typically, HSV1 causes cold sores and HSV2 causes genital herpes. BUT, both viruses can cause oral or genital infection. Having antibodies to HSV1 or HSV2 may confer partial protection against the other virus (Xu J Inf Disease 2002).
Routine screening for herpes is not recommended by the CDC. Therefor, do not test patients unless they have a potential exposure (CDC STD Facts – Genital Herpes). NOTE: UK guidelines differ.
Herpes in pregnancy: Seropositive women without a primary or recurrent anogenital Herpes outbreak during pregnancy pass protective IgG antibodies to the neonate and suppressive therapy with acyclovir is not recommended. Most sources recommend suppressive therapy with acyclovir starting at 36 weeks “for all women who present with a genital HSV lesion anytime during pregnancy, whether with a primary, nonprimary first-episode, or recurrent infection” (Riley UpToDate.com Genital herpes simplex virus infection and pregnancy 2018).
“We have to process through our own emotions and be aware that we bring them home.”
“I have learned so much about people’s marriages through this virus.”
“Topical agents work…as long as you give them with pills.”
“If you have herpes, you can…welcome it to the family.”
ALL STI guidelines for USA and UK can be accessed through the following links
USA https://www.cdc.gov/std/default.htm
British guidelines
Dr Bettiker notes that Doctors are bad at talking about sex. It’s easy to take a sexual history when a patient presents with a genital complaint. BUT, it’s also important to make routine sexual history part of everyday practice (see show notes for The Curbsiders #127 STI)
Primary infection 2 days to 2 weeks (CDC STD Facts – Genital Herpes)
After direct skin to skin contact with an infectious lesion on an infected individual. It cannot be caught from toilets,swimming pools, towels etc.
After the primary infection, the virus becomes latent in a sensory nerve root ganglion and recurrent episodes occur when the HSV1/HSV2 virus reactivates. Usually the blisters recur in the site of the primary infection. Each time it reactivates, there is viral shedding, whether symptomatic or asymptomatic.
HSV2 typically 4 times per year. HSV1 typically 1 time per year. (Benedetti Ann Int Med 1994; WHO HSV Fact Sheet)
42 yo M who is married. He’s had five urinary tract infections despite negative cultures. Physical exam shows small ulceration near the urethral meatus.
Differential diagnosis = herpes, syphilis, and penile cancer.
Diagnosis = Take a viral swab for PCR from the ulcer, or de-roof the vesicle and swab the ulcer base.
Treatment = Valacyclovir (check out the CDC’s Free STD Tx Guide App for specifics)
Did he bring this into the marriage? Does his wife already have herpes too? We should test her as well. Send herpes IgG antibodies. If positive, then she has nothing to worry about.
Culture: Herpes will grow within about 48 hours. It is specific, but not sensitive.
PCR: Send a swab. Excellent sensitivity.
Serology: IgM will be negative and IgG will be positive in recurrent cases.
Avoid sex if prodromal symptoms of herpes or an ulcer is present.
Asymptomatic shedding can occur with very low levels of virus present on the skin. This represents a big risk for transmission since patient “feel sexy” and let down their guard.
Chronic valacyclovir can decrease viral shedding and prevent transmission in serodiscordant couples.
What about “belts and suspenders” aka barrier protection and antivirals?
The CDC site notes, “consider suppressive antiviral therapy as part of a strategy to prevent transmission, in addition to consistent condom use and avoidance of sexual activity during recurrences.” (CDC STD Facts – Genital Herpes)
A young woman with severe pain, urinary retention and widespread ulcers on her vulva.
Can present as widespread painful lesions on area exposed. Sacral nerve involvement can cause a few months of bowel and bladder dysfunction. Sometimes this requires urethral catheterization.
valacyclovir, viscous lidocaine, urethral catheterization and pain medication- check out the CDC’s Free STD Tx Guide App for specifics.
Many people have more than four HSV2 outbreaks in the first year. Subsequently, patients experience about one less outbreak each year until the virus “burns itself out” -Dr Bettiker. Early treatment with valacyclovir during outbreaks can shorten, or even abort symptoms. Consider daily valacyclovir if frequent recurrences occur.
It is often impossible to know when a partner’s infection was acquired. In our case, the woman’s boyfriend may have been infected years ago. Therefor, infidelity cannot be proven.
A 25 yo M with multiple encounters of unprotected sex with male partners wants STI testing. He later finds out that one of his recent partners has herpes. He asks to be tested for “everything”.
Routine post-exposure STI testing should include Hep C, Hep B, gonorrhea, chlamydia, HIV and syphilis. Dr Bettiker does not routinely send HSV serologies for these patients.
At the moment, we cannot tell if our patient has acquired a new HSV infection from this encounter. Baseline serologic testing can identify a preexisting HSV infection if he has HSV IgG antibodies.
Routine screening for herpes is not recommended by the CDC. Therefor, do not test patients unless they have a potential exposure.
Dr Bettiker recommends, “throw condoms all over him” and offer him preexposure prophylaxis for HIV (The Curbsiders #41 HIV preexposure prophylaxis).
HSV1 – Dr Bettiker recommends we “Call it the cold sore virus” to decrease patient anxiety.
HSV1 (cold sore virus) vs HSV2 (genital ulcers). Dr Bettiker reminds us that, “they cause more severe disease if infecting their ‘proper place’”. Having antibodies to HSV1 will protect against HSV1 infection elsewhere in the body (WHO – HSV facts), may have partial protection against acquisition of HSV2 (Xu J Inf Disease 2002). Prior HSV1 infection increases the likelihood that an infection with HSV-2 will be subclinical (Xu J Inf Diseases 2002).
A 20 yo woman at 10 weeks gestation presents with her first herpes outbreak.
Acyclovir- check out the CDC’s Free STD Tx Guide App for specifics.
Most sources recommend suppressive therapy with acyclovir starting at 36 weeks “for all women who present with a genital HSV lesion anytime during pregnancy, whether with a primary, nonprimary first-episode, or recurrent infection”. In HSV seropositive women with prior herpes infection, but no active genital lesions during pregnancy, suppressive therapy is not recommended (Riley UpToDate.com Genital herpes simplex virus infection and pregnancy 2018).
Vaginal birth is okay if no active anogenital lesions at time of delivery. Perform a C-section if any active lesions of the genitals or perineum.
Remind the patient that Herpes and other STIs can be transmitted through oral contact as well.
Listeners will develop a both a practical and evidence based approach to the management of Genital Herpes.
After listening to this episode listeners will…
Dr Bettiker reports no relevant financial disclosures. The Curbsiders report not relevant financial disclosures.
Links from the show
Forbes Top 5 Noise cancelling headphones 2018 https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbes-finds/2018/07/02/bluetooth-noise-cancelling-headphones/#2c2fcae83b48
Helpful PDF How to take a self swab (endocervical/penile) for non-ulcer STIs Swab_Collection_Guide.pdf
Bettiker, Robert. Guest, expert. #133 Herpes for Everyone. The Curbsiders Internal Medicine Podcast http://thecurbsiders.com. December 24, 2018. URL http://thecurbsiders.com/podcast/133-herpes-everyone-robert-bettiker-md
The Curbsiders are partnering with VCU Health Continuing Education to offer FREE continuing education credits for physicians and other healthcare professionals. Visit curbsiders.vcuhealth.org and search for this episode to claim credit.
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Comments
I am a subscriber and regular listener and I complement you all on a great podcast. Today, while listening to the "Herpes for Everyone " episode, Dr. Bettiker described a clinical situation where his fellows strongly suspected hantavirus infection, and where he strongly disagreed with their assessment. He states that, despite his objections, his fellows went on to send off antibody testing, and the patient was IgM positive. His narrative seemed to suggest that he still disagreed with the diagnosis of hantavirus infection, and that testing and treatment were "placed on hold". Since IgM antibody testing is the gold standard for the diagnosis of hantavirus, and is both highly sensitive and highly specific, I am curious as to what the ultimate diagnosis was in the case he described. Can you pass my question on to him? I am unable to find an email for Dr. Bettiker, or I would have contacted him directly. Thanks again for your great work.
Thanks Mat , that was really helpful
I’ve looked a number of different places and I haven’t found a number - what’s the risk to the seronegative partner if the patient does all the prophylactic measures?
I want to say a very thank to Dr Osalu I have been cure from this terrible disease (Herpes) for over nine months now and I tire to share my testimony about how I was cure to people and they always told me that it not a permanent cure but I decide to go to a check up again and I discovered that I was still negative so Dr Osaluis a very great man and he more different from other doctors because he did take me as his son and he never fail me and also he always keep his words he is the best doctor in African and I pray to God so that he can keep him alive email him if you need his help too via drosaluherbalhome@gmail. com or whatapps or call him on +2348078668950.
I'm terribly disappointed in Stuart for not bringing up the notorious "Space Herpes" from Spaceballs...