{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,12]],"date-time":"2026-09-12T15:53:06Z","timestamp":1789228386681,"version":"build-2803163510"},"reference-count":52,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"9","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,8,28]],"date-time":"2025-08-28T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1756339200000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Life"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Vulvar viral infections such as condyloma acuminata, genital herpes, molluscum contagiosum, and Lipsch\u00fctz ulcers span both sexually and non-sexually transmitted diseases and affect patients across all age groups. Lesions may present as papules, verrucous growths, or painful ulcers, often causing functional impairment and significant psychosocial distress. A multidisciplinary strategy that integrates epidemiology, precise diagnostics, individualized therapy, and psychological support is essential to optimize outcomes. We performed a structured literature search in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science using terms \u201cvulvar viral infection,\u201d \u201cHPV,\u201d \u201cHSV,\u201d \u201cmolluscum contagiosum,\u201d and \u201cLipsch\u00fctz ulcers.\u201d International guidelines from the UK, Europe, and Australia were reviewed, alongside reference lists of key articles. Particular attention was given to paradoxical presentations, pediatric considerations, and cost-effectiveness analyses. HPV vaccination programs have markedly reduced anogenital warts, while early PCR\/NAAT for HSV accelerates targeted antiviral therapy. First-line treatments like oral acyclovir\/famciclovir for HSV and topical imiquimod or podophyllotoxin (\u00b1cryotherapy) for HPV are supported by adjunctive measures for self-limiting conditions. Host factors (hormonal cycles, immune status) and local irritants modulate recurrence risk, informing anticipatory suppressive regimens and barrier-reinforcing care. Validated patient-reported outcome measures (VPAQ, DLQI, FSFI) capture pain, sexual function, and quality-of-life impacts. Health\u2013economic evaluations underscore the long-term value of rapid diagnostics and broad vaccination. Personalized, multidisciplinary management that combines prevention, precision diagnostics, tailored therapy, psychosocial support, and economic considerations offers the greatest promise for improving clinical and quality-of-life outcomes in patients with vulvar viral infections. We aim to outline best practices for the diagnosis and management of common vulvar viral infections, providing practical guidance for clinicians to improve recognition and therapeutic decision-making.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/life15091365","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,8,28]],"date-time":"2025-08-28T11:41:12Z","timestamp":1756381272000},"page":"1365","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":3,"title":["Viral Infections of the Vulva: A Narrative Review"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"15","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0009-5087-0374","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Matteo","family":"Terrinoni","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06129 Perugia, Italy"},{"name":"Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, \u201cAlto Tevere\u201d Hospital of Citt\u00e0 di Castello, USL Umbria 1, 06127 Perugia, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-1018-3088","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Tullio","family":"Golia D\u2019Aug\u00e8","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Ospedale San Pietro Fatebenefratelli, 00189 Rome, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-3482-1523","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Ottavia","family":"D\u2019Oria","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Obstetrics and Gynecological Unit, Department of Woman\u2019s and Child\u2019s Health, San Camillo-Forlanini Hospital, 00152 Rome, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Michele","family":"Palisciano","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, \u201cBranca\u201d Hospital of Gubbio-Gualdo Tadino, USL Umbria 1, 06127 Perugia, Italy"},{"name":"Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Azienda Ospedaliera di Perugia, 06129 Perugia, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Federica","family":"Adinolfi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Azienda Ospedaliera di Perugia, 06129 Perugia, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Dario","family":"Rossetti","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, \u201cAlto Tevere\u201d Hospital of Citt\u00e0 di Castello, USL Umbria 1, 06127 Perugia, Italy"},{"name":"Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, \u201cBranca\u201d Hospital of Gubbio-Gualdo Tadino, USL Umbria 1, 06127 Perugia, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Gian Carlo","family":"Di Renzo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"PREIS School (International and European School of Perinatal, Neonatal and Reproductive Medicine), 50121 Florence, Italy"},{"name":"Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, I.M. Sechenov First State University of Moscow, 119991 Moscow, Russia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-4388-0082","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Andrea","family":"Giannini","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Unit of Gynecology, Sant\u2019Andrea Hospital, Department of Surgical and Medical Sciences and Translational Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,8,28]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1513","DOI":"10.1016\/S0140-6736(00)04638-9","article-title":"Herpes simplex virus infections","volume":"357","author":"Whitley","year":"2001","journal-title":"Lancet"},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Looker, K.J., Magaret, A.S., May, M.T., Turner, K.M., Vickerman, P., Gottlieb, S.L., and Newman, L.M. (2015). 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