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Herpes simplex - Treatment for Oral Herpes

Description

An in-depth report on the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of herpes simplex.

Alternative Names

Genital herpes; Fever blisters; Cold sores; HSV-1; HSV-2

Treatment for Oral Herpes:

Oral Treatments

Acyclovir (Zovirax), valacyclovir (Valtrex), and famciclovir (Famvir) -- the anti-viral pills used to treat genital herpes -- can also treat the cold sores associated with oral herpes. In addition, acyclovir is available in topical form, as is penciclovir (a related drug).

Topical Treatments

These ointments or creams help shorten healing time and duration of symptoms. However, none are truly effective in eliminating outbreaks.

  • Penciclovir (Denavir) heals herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) sores on average about half a day faster than without treatment, stops viral shedding, and reduces the duration of pain. Ideally, the patient should apply the cream within the first hour of symptoms, although benefits have also been noted with later application. It is continued for 4 consecutive days, and should be reapplied every 2 hours while awake.
  • Acyclovir cream (Zovirax) works best when applied early on (at the first sign of pain or tingling).
  • Docosanol cream (Abreva) is the only FDA-approved non-prescription ointment for oral herpes. The patient applies the cream five times a day, beginning at the first sign of tingling or pain. Studies have been mixed on the creamâ ' s benefits.
  • Over-the-counter topical anesthetics may provide modest relief. They include Anbesol gel, Blistex lip ointment, Campho-phenique, Herpecin-L, Viractin, and Zilactin.

Resources

References

Berger JR, Houff S. Neurological complications of herpes simplex virus type 2 infection. Arch Neurol. May 2008; 65(5):596-600.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Workowski KA, Berman SM. Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines, 2006. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2006 Aug 4;55(RR-11):1-94.

Cernik C, Gallina K, Brodell RT. The treatment of herpes simplex infections: An evidence-based review. Arch Intern Med. 2008 Jun 9;168(11):1137-1144.

Fatahzadeh M, Schwartz RA. Human herpes simplex virus infections: epidemiology, pathogenesis, symptomatology, diagnosis, and management. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2007 Nov;57(5):737-63.

Gupta R, Warren T, Wald A. Genital herpes. Lancet. 2007;370:2127-2137.

Hollier LM, Wendel GD. Third trimester antiviral prophylaxis for preventing maternal genital herpes simplex virus (HSV) recurrences and neonatal infection. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008 Jan 23;(1):CD004946.

Lebrun-Vignes B, Bouzamondo A, Dupuy A, Guillaume JC, Lechat P, Chosidow O. A meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of oral antiviral treatment to prevent genital herpes outbreaks. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2007 Aug;57(2):238-46. Epub 2007 Apr 9.

Wilhelmus, K. R. Therapeutic interventions for herpes simplex virus epithelial keratitis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008 Jan 23(1): CD002898.

Xu F, Sternberg MR, Kottiri BJ, McQuillan GM, Lee FK, Nahmias AJ, et al. Trends in herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 seroprevalence in the United States. JAMA. 2006 Aug 23;296(8):964-73.

  • Reviewed last on: 9/19/2008
  • Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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