Acyclovir prevents reactivation of herpes simplex labialis in skiers.
To determine the effectiveness of an antiviral to prevent herpes labialis during a brief, high-risk circumstance, 147 persons with a history of sun-induced recurrences were treated prophylactically with oral acyclovir or matching placebo and were observed during their ski holidays. Five (7%) of 75 acyclovir-treated subjects developed lesions compared with 19 (26%) of 72 persons in the placebo group.
Spruance
S L
SL
Department of Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City 84132.
Hamill
M L
ML
Hoge
W S
WS
Davis
L G
LG
Mills
J
J
D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D003120:Colorado; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006560:Herpes Labialis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012865:Skiing; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014589:Utah
D013473:Sunscreening Agents; D000212:Acyclovir