DISEASE NAME:
Genital Herpes simplex
CATEGORY:
STIs
Genital Herpes simplex
Genital herpes is a viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two HSV types: type 1 and type 2. Type 2 is most commonly associated with genital infection. Type 1 has also been found to cause genital infection but is more commonly associated with oral herpes (‘cold sores’).
Genital herpes is common in Ireland. It is mostly diagnosed in young women.
For information, advice and support on sexual health visit sexualwellbeing.ie
1687 cases notified in 2023.
32.8 the national notification rate per 100,000 population.
Last updated: 26 March 2024
Case Definitions
Clinical criteria
Any person with the following clinical picture: herpes simplex (genital) is a condition characterised by visible, painful genital or anal lesions. Clinical presentation may be atypical.
Laboratory criteria
At least one of the following four:
- Isolation of herpes simplex virus from cervix, urethra, or anogenital lesion
- Demonstration of virus by antigen detection technique in clinical specimens from cervix, urethra, or anogenital lesion
- Demonstration of multinucleated giant cells on a Tzanck smear of scrapings from an anogenital lesion
- Serological type specific antibody to HSV type 1 or type 2 virus
Epidemiological criteria
NA
Case classification
A. Possible case
NA
B. Probable case
A clinically compatible case (in which primary and secondary syphilis have been excluded by appropriate serologic tests and darkfield microscopy, when available) with either a diagnosis of genital herpes based on clinical presentation (without laboratory confirmation) or a history of one or more previous episodes of similar genital lesions
C. Confirmed case
A clinically compatible case, including an atypical presentation, that is laboratory confirmed
Current as of: 24 January 2019
Information, Data and Reports for Genital Herpes simplex
Ireland’s specialist service for the surveillance of communicable diseases.