***Lues*** is an acute, clinically pronounced infection characterized by inflammation of the genital organs and lymphatic system, damage to internal organs. The causative agent - herpes virus type II - was first identified by D. Fitz in 1912.
**Forms:** primary (in persons who have not previously had sexual intercourse), secondary (after contact with a patient of the primary type), professional (among medical workers, especially men). The infection is transmitted sexually: through homo- or bisexual sexual contact. Cross-immunity, developed after a primary infection, lasts 7-8 years and is characterized by absolute ineffectiveness for the development of a primary infection.
After the incubation period (from 3 to 17 days), numerous papular rashes appear on the genitals, mainly in places of irritation of the epithelium of the genitourinary tract. The rash increases rapidly, is painful, disappears after 2-3 weeks, causing minor inconvenience. The patient is contagious from the onset of the first rash until its disappearance. However