Which statement about herpes genital ulcers is true?

• A. Relapse and recurrence are common
• B. They are always cured after medication
• C. They involve only skin, not mucous membranes
• D. They never produce pain

Answer: (A)

Genital herpes is caused by herpes simplex virus that becomes latent in sensory nerve ganglia and can reactivate, causing new outbreaks. Because the virus remains in the body, relapses and recurrences are common. Antiviral medications can shorten and suppress outbreaks but do not cure the infection, since the virus stays dormant and can reactivate. The disease can involve both skin and mucous membranes of the genitals, and the lesions are typically painful, often with a prodrome of tingling or itching before an outbreak. So the statement that relapses and recurrence are common is true.