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Practice Guideline
. 2025 Apr;39(4):742-758.
doi: 10.1111/jdv.20450. Epub 2024 Dec 2.

2024 European guidelines for the management of genital herpes

Rajul Patel  1   2 , Benjamin Moran  3 , Emily Clarke  4   5 , Anna Maria Geretti  6   7   8 , Stephan Lautenschlager  9 , John Green  10 , Gilbert Donders  11 , Mikhail Gomberg  12 , Shyam Samraj  8 , George Sorin Tiplica  13 , Elizabeth Foley  1
Affiliations
Practice Guideline

2024 European guidelines for the management of genital herpes

Rajul Patel et al. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2025 Apr.

Abstract

Genital herpes is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections worldwide. Using the best available evidence, this guideline recommends strategies for diagnosis, management and follow-up of the condition as well as for minimizing transmission. Early recognition and initiation of therapy is key and may reduce the duration of illness or avoid hospitalization with complications, including urinary retention, meningism or severe systemic illness. The guideline covers a range of common clinical scenarios, such as recurrent genital herpes, infection during pregnancy and coinfection with human immunodeficiency virus.

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Conflict of interest statement

Rajul Patel received grants from GSK; received consulting fees from Rational Vaccine, Hiedelberg University, GSK and Innovative Molecules; received honoraria from Abbott Diagnostics. Benjamin Moran, Stephan Lautenschlager, John Green, Gilbert Donders, Mikhail Gomberg and Shyam Samraj have no conflict of interest to declare. Emily Clarke received grants from GSK. Anna Maria Geretti received grants from Gilead, Roche and ViiV; received consulting fees from Abbott, GSK, MSD and ViiV; received honoraria from GSK, Gilead, Roche and ViiV. George Sorin Tiplica received honoraria from Abbott, Organon, Genesis Biopharma Romania SRL, Leo Pharma Romania, Antibiotice SA and BMS. Elizabeth Foley received consulting fee from GSK.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Management of genital herpes.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Special situations: management of genital herpes in people with immunocompromise and in those living with HIV.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Algorithm for the treatment of herpes in immunocompromised individuals.
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
Special situations: management of genital herpes in pregnant women.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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