[Debates and updates regarding the virologic diagnosis of herpes].

Clinical diagnosis of herpes simplex virus infections is accurate and sufficient in many cases. However, there are situations where diagnosis is difficult, for example in subclinical shedding or atypical lesions. Furthermore, in some life-threatening conditions such as encephalitis, herpesvirus infections in immunocompromised individuals, during pregnancy or in neonates, confirmation of the diagnosis with accurate and rapid laboratory tests is essential.