Genital primary herpetic infection in an infant: clinical features, diagnosis and management

Genital herpes is a rare disease in infants and is mainly associated with herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1. Asymptomatic carriers are frequently implicated as transmitters of the disease. Clinical manifestations are the main criteria for diagnosis, However, type-specific serologies and PCR are the most sensitive techniques for detecting HSV. Genital herpes is treated with local or systemic antiviral therapy depending on the severity of the infection. Reducing transmission relies on counseling patients. The disease prognosis is correlated with the underlying immunological status. We report a case of genital primary herpetic infection in an infant.