Adjustment to the psychological and social sequelae of recurrent genital herpes simplex infection.

OBJECTIVE To investigate whether adverse psychological consequences and impaired sexual and interpersonal functioning are present in individuals suffering from recurrent genital herpes simplex infection (HSV). DESIGN A questionnaire-based study completed by subjects defined as having more than one episode of HSV infection. SUBJECTS Completed questionnaires were returned from 90 subjects; 40 from the department of genitourinary medicine at our hospital and 50 from members of the Herpes Association. RESULTS Stress and being physically run-down were identified as provoking factors by the majority of individuals (78% and 56% respectively). The frequency of sexual activity was not different when comparing rates before and after infection (p < 0.001) and the majority of subjects had told partners of their infection. Women reported significantly greater disturbances in several psychological variables and reported a greater decrement in their general health. However, overall there were no differences in the psychological sequelae following herpes infection. CONCLUSIONS The study suggests that, given time, most people are able to adjust psychologically to having recurrent herpes infection. However, for a minority of subjects this is not the case and these individuals may require psychotherapeutic intervention.