Counsel, Don’t Routinely Screen Asymptomatic, High-Risk Patients for Genital Herpes

Counseling is more important than routine screening of patients perceived to be at high risk for genital herpes, at least in the absence of symptoms, according to an updated guidance from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force published by the Journal of the American Medical Association. One caveat is that patients known to have genital herpes but who are between outbreaks are not considered to be asymptomatic. The recommendation also does not apply to patients who request screening. Genital herpes is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections in the United States, but far from the only one likely to be diagnosed in the urgent care setting. For a broader perspective, read The Rising Importance of Urgent Care in the Fight Against the STI Epidemic in the JUCM archive.