Recurrent herpes and post-traumatic stress disorder.
A 33-year-old male presented with recurrent outbreaks of perioral herpes of disfiguring nature that remained unresolved following therapy. The first perioral outbreak occurred following a road accident. The psychiatric interview conducted with the patient suggested post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) secondary to the accident. Venlafaxine 50 mg/day was initiated and led to resolution of the PTSD symptoms within 8 weeks. The patient did not experience any further herpes outbreaks for about 10 months. Control of stress disorders in recurrent herpes is discussed from a therapeutic perspective.
Brousse
Georges
G
CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Pôle Urgences, Clermont-Ferrand, France. gbrousse@chu-clermontferrand.fr
Geneste
Julie
J
Schmitt
Audrey
A
Llorca
Pierre Michel
PM
Schmidt
Jeannot
J
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000328:Adult; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006560:Herpes Labialis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012008:Recurrence; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D003511:Cyclohexanols; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride