A Review of Antiviral Therapy for Herpes Labialis

High-Dose, Short-Duration, Early Valacyclovir Therapy for Episodic Treatment of Cold Sores: Results of Two Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Multicenter Studies

“…It is presumed, but not proven, that a strong antiviral effect hastens wound resolution by decreasing the extent of keratinocyte destruction, the viral antigen load, and the attendant inflammatory response, which impair reepithelization at the site of infection (1,9,11,22). One-day, two-dose oral valacyclovir constitutes a convenient treatment for herpes labialis in comparison to topical therapies, which typically require frequent applications for multiple days (13,15,19,20,23). While direct comparisons between oral and topical therapy have not been conducted, the available data suggest that oral therapy is more effective.…”

“…The infection is most often acquired in childhood, but the incidence increases with age (2, 5, 12, 18). Up to 90% of persons over the age of 50, depending on race, sex, and country, would test seropositive for HSV-1, and an estimated 20 to 40% of adults experience cold sore outbreaks (5,12,18,25).Until now, most treatments have consisted of creams that must be applied to affected areas multiple times a day for several days (6,13,15,19,20,23). There have been two previous clinical trials of oral antiviral therapy for episodic treatment of herpes labialis.…”

“…Until now, most treatments have consisted of creams that must be applied to affected areas multiple times a day for several days (6,13,15,19,20,23). There have been two previous clinical trials of oral antiviral therapy for episodic treatment of herpes labialis.…”

Infectious Skin Diseases: A Review and Needs Assessment

“…The lesions subsequently develop ulceration with crusting, and ultimately heal in 4 to 5 days. 62 HSV-2 recurrences present with similar skin findings, but tend to be less severe than primary infection and without constitutional symptoms. 61,62 Most diagnoses of HSV infection are made by clinical evaluation alone.…”

“…At any given time, approximately 1% to 5% of individuals with HSV infection demonstrate asymptomatic shedding, which contributes to the spread of disease. [62][63][64] The herpes simplex viruses cause a variety of clinical manifestations, of which herpes labialis and herpes genitalis are especially widespread. Herpes labialis, the most common form of herpes infection, presents as vesicular or ulcerative lesions of the oral cavity or perioral skin and mucosa.…”