PANCE Infectious Disease Practice Test

Genital herpes is caused predominantly by HSV-2 because this type tends to establish latency in the sacral nerve ganglia and repeatedly reactivates to cause genital outbreaks. HSV-2 has been the classic primary cause of genital herpes, even though HSV-1 can also cause genital disease, it remains more common for HSV-2 to be the chief driver of genital infections. Antiviral therapy, such as acyclovir or valacyclovir, helps control symptoms, reduce viral shedding, and lower outbreak frequency, but it does not eradicate the virus from the body. The virus persists in a latent state and can reactivate, leading to recurrences. That’s why statements about a cure or about no recurrences after treatment aren’t correct. So the statement that genital herpes is primarily caused by HSV-2 is the best choice.