title: Treatment of herpes simplex labialis.
abstract: Recurrent herpes simplex labialis is associated with mild morbidity, but remains a significant problem for people with frequent and/or severe recurrences. Both topical and peroral episodic antiviral treatments of recurrences are modestly effective at reducing the duration of signs and symptoms. Recent studies with high-dose, short-course valaciclovir suggest that maximum benefit from antiviral therapy may be achieved with as little as 1 day of treatment. Topical steroids may be useful in combination with an antiviral agent, but more needs to be learnt about the appropriate strength and duration of steroid therapy before a general recommendation can be made. Selected subgroups of patients are candidates for prophylactic treatment with perorally administered nucleoside antiviral agents. Prophylaxis with topical agents is not effective.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Utah School of Medicine, Room 4B319, 30 North 1900 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84132-2405, USA. woody.spruance@hsc.utah.edu
authors.forename: Spotswood L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Spruance
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Kriesel
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004333:Drug Administration Routes; D006560:Herpes Labialis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012008:Recurrence; D013256:Steroids
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D013256:Steroids