Value of the Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate in Primary Genital Herpes

Abstract

An elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate may be a useful indicator of cervical infection in primary genital herpes infections. Mean ESR in 26 patients with both vulval and cervical herpetic lesions showed a highly significant elevation compared to that obtained from 13 patients with vulval herpetic lesions alone (P < 0.00 I) and also to that obtained from 527 female control patients with no clinical abnormality (P < 0.00 I). The ESR should be a routine test in all female patients who are either clinically suspected, or are contacts of genital herpes.