Hospitalization and Diagnostic Recommendations for Primary Genital HSV

Management of Severe Primary Infection

• The CDC notes that patients with severe primary genital herpes may require inpatient care for symptom control and monitoring of complications. 1

Diagnostic Strategy

• According to CDC guidance, a definitive diagnosis of primary genital herpes should be obtained by viral culture or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) rather than relying solely on the presence or absence of fever, because approximately one‑third of primary infections lack systemic symptoms. 1