title: Use of complementary and alternative medicine for the treatment of genital herpes.
abstract: Conventional antiviral drugs have proven effectiveness for genital herpes; however, patients continue to use a variety of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments. Given that patients may be using these products, it is important that healthcare providers become familiar with the data regarding safety and efficacy. We have reviewed available scientific data on six commonly used treatments (echinacea, eleuthero, L-lysine, zinc, bee products and aloe). In addition, information about a number of other products is presented in tabular form. Currently, there are insufficient clinical data to be confident of the efficacy and safety of any of these products for the treatment of genital herpes. It is hoped that future clinical trials will be conducted with sufficient rigour to provide guidance to the patients using these products.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics and Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
authors.forename: Michelle M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Perfect
authors.forename: Nigel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bourne
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ebel
authors.forename: Susan L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Rosenthal
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000379:methods*; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008239:Lysine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry; D015032:Zinc / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D015032:Zinc; D008239:Lysine