Recurrent herpes labialis: a pilot study of the efficacy of zinc therapy.
BACKGROUND
The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of zinc on recurrent herpes labialis.


METHODS
Twenty patients (12 females; median age 26.6 years) with a history of recurrent herpes labialis >6 episodes each year were treated with systemic zinc sulphate 22.5 mg twice daily for the months of February, March, September and October. All patients were followed for 12 months.


RESULTS
Herpetic lesions reduced to <4 episodes (average 3) for the 12 months and the duration was <7 days for each episode (average 5.7).


CONCLUSIONS
Systemic zinc sulphate appeared to reduce both the number of episodes and the time to recovery of herpes labialis.
Femiano
F
F
Stomatology Clinic, II University of Medicines and Surgery, Naples, Italy. femiano@libero.it
Gombos
F
F
Scully
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006560:Herpes Labialis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D019287:Zinc Sulfate / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D019287:Zinc Sulfate