STI: genital herpes: practice question

A Dermatology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Dermatology · STI: genital herpes

Sample item

A man with genital herpes has had 7 recurrences in the last year, which are distressing. What is the recommended management?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Continuous suppressive therapy with acyclovir or valacyclovir

Patients with six or more recurrences per year benefit from suppressive antiviral therapy, which reduces recurrences by about 70 to 80 percent and lowers transmission. HSV-2 establishes latency in the sacral ganglia.

Option by option

  • A. Continuous suppressive therapy with acyclovir or valacyclovir (correct)

    Correct. Suppressive antivirals reduce recurrences and transmission.

  • B. Lifelong topical steroid

    Steroids do not treat herpes and may worsen it.

  • C. Surgical excision of lesions

    Surgery has no role.

  • D. Single dose penicillin

    Penicillin treats syphilis only.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Dermatology questions

Questions about this Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is A, Continuous suppressive therapy with acyclovir or valacyclovir. Patients with six or more recurrences per year benefit from suppressive antiviral therapy, which reduces recurrences by about 70 to 80 percent and lowers transmission.

Why is "Lifelong topical steroid" not the answer?

Steroids do not treat herpes and may worsen it.

Why is "Surgical excision of lesions" not the answer?

Surgery has no role.

Why is "Single dose penicillin" not the answer?

Penicillin treats syphilis only.

What concept does this question test?

It tests STI: genital herpes in Dermatology. HSV-2 establishes latency in the sacral ganglia.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study STI: genital herpes?

Learn each condition by its primary lesion, site and signature sign. Then use the flashcards and the other Dermatology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.