Reproductive Health – STIs exam
1. What is the MCO for recurrent genital herpes?: MCO = HSV-2
2. Which HSV virus more commonly causes genital herpes?: HSV-2
3. Which HSV virus more commonly causes oral herpes, but may also cause
genital herpes?: HSV-1
4. What is the average incubation period of genital herpes after exposure?: 4 days
(range 2-12 days)
5. What appears on PE for primary genital herpes infection?: - Grouped 2-4 mm vesicles
with underlying erythema that may develop into vesicopustules, erosions, and ulcerations
- may have painful genital ulcers, dysuria, fever, tender inguinal lymphadenopathy, and headache
6. If an individual already had HSV 1 and contracts HSV 2, how does this affect
symptoms?: - Fewer lesions and LESS systemic symptoms (known as nonprimary infection)
1/7
,7. What are characteristics of recurrent genital herpes infection?: - many patients are
asymptomatic
- 50% of patients have prodrome (local mild tingling or shooting pain in buttocks, legs, and hips)
- usually LESS severe and SHORTER duration
8. What are extragenital complications of genital herpes?: - Neurologic: aseptic meningitis,
urinary bladder retention
- Proctitis
- Increased risk of acquisition of HIV1
9. Which HSV is more likely to have recurrences?: HSV 2 > HSV 1
10. What determines the frequency of recurrences of genital herpes?: - LONGER
primary infection leads to EARLIER/MORE frequent recurrences
- depends on severity and duration of initial episode, infecting serotype, and host
11. Which HSV has more viral shedding?: HSV-2 > HSV-1
12. How can genital herpes be transmitted unknowingly?: - Asymptomatic intermittent viral
shedding occurs, which is how genital herpes can be transmitted to a susceptible sexual partner and neonates
13. How is genital herpes diagnosed?: 1. Viral culture is the STANDARD diagnostic method
2/7
, - best in early stages of disease before lesions are healing
2. IF concerned for meningitis -> Polymerase chain reaction is the test of choice for CSF
14. Why can serologic testing not be used to confirm a genital herpes diagno-
sis?: - because a positive HSV IgG antibody only represents past exposure, NOT current infection
3/7
1. What is the MCO for recurrent genital herpes?: MCO = HSV-2
2. Which HSV virus more commonly causes genital herpes?: HSV-2
3. Which HSV virus more commonly causes oral herpes, but may also cause
genital herpes?: HSV-1
4. What is the average incubation period of genital herpes after exposure?: 4 days
(range 2-12 days)
5. What appears on PE for primary genital herpes infection?: - Grouped 2-4 mm vesicles
with underlying erythema that may develop into vesicopustules, erosions, and ulcerations
- may have painful genital ulcers, dysuria, fever, tender inguinal lymphadenopathy, and headache
6. If an individual already had HSV 1 and contracts HSV 2, how does this affect
symptoms?: - Fewer lesions and LESS systemic symptoms (known as nonprimary infection)
1/7
,7. What are characteristics of recurrent genital herpes infection?: - many patients are
asymptomatic
- 50% of patients have prodrome (local mild tingling or shooting pain in buttocks, legs, and hips)
- usually LESS severe and SHORTER duration
8. What are extragenital complications of genital herpes?: - Neurologic: aseptic meningitis,
urinary bladder retention
- Proctitis
- Increased risk of acquisition of HIV1
9. Which HSV is more likely to have recurrences?: HSV 2 > HSV 1
10. What determines the frequency of recurrences of genital herpes?: - LONGER
primary infection leads to EARLIER/MORE frequent recurrences
- depends on severity and duration of initial episode, infecting serotype, and host
11. Which HSV has more viral shedding?: HSV-2 > HSV-1
12. How can genital herpes be transmitted unknowingly?: - Asymptomatic intermittent viral
shedding occurs, which is how genital herpes can be transmitted to a susceptible sexual partner and neonates
13. How is genital herpes diagnosed?: 1. Viral culture is the STANDARD diagnostic method
2/7
, - best in early stages of disease before lesions are healing
2. IF concerned for meningitis -> Polymerase chain reaction is the test of choice for CSF
14. Why can serologic testing not be used to confirm a genital herpes diagno-
sis?: - because a positive HSV IgG antibody only represents past exposure, NOT current infection
3/7
