Natural history, management and complications of herpes labialis

✍ Scribed by Dr. C. R. Higgins; J. K. Schofield; F. M. Tatnall; I. M. Leigh

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1993
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 573 KB
• Volume: 41
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0146-6615
• DOI: 10.1002/jmv.1890410506

✦ Synopsis

Infection with herpes simplex virus (HSVI is a common worldwide problem. Primary infection with HSV-1 rarely causes significant problems although widespread involvement in atopic eczema can be life-threatening as may associated ence p ha I it is. Kera tocon j u nct ivit is, p ha ryng it is and hepatitis can also complicate primary infection. Twenty to 40% of the population at some stage have recurrent orolabial infections with HSV although in only 1% of these cases is this recurrence severe. Recurrent erythema multiforme appears to be associated with HSV-65% of patients are thought t o have preceding herpes labialis.

Many primary and recurrent infections with HSV-1 require little more than topical antiseptic therapy to control secondary infection. Systemic acyclovir, however, is indicated in various situations including complicated primary infection, infection in neonates, eczema herpeticum, HSV infections in the immunocompromised, and recurrent erythema multiforme. In the latter, prophylactic treatment with 6 months acyclovir appears to be effective.