Acyclovir for treating primary herpetic gingivostomatitis

Abstract

We found two relevant trials in this systematic review, only one of them could provide some weak evidence that acyclovir is an effective treatment in reducing the number of oral lesions, preventing the development of new extraoral lesions, decreasing the number of individuals with difficulties experienced in eating and drinking and reducing hospital admission for children under 6 years of age with primary herpetic gingivostomatitis.

COVID‐19‐associated herpetic gingivostomatitis

“…Because of the patient’s discomfort and the prolonged ICU treatment, oral aciclovir therapy 400 mg five times daily was administered, which resulted in rapid improvement of pain and ulcerations 4 . Given the patient’s age and the rare secondary manifestation of HSV‐1 in the oral cavity, we believe that the COVID‐19 infection and prolonged inpatient care were causal factors of stress induction and immunosuppression, leading to the distinct oral manifestations.…”

COVID‐19‐associated herpetic gingivostomatitis

“…Because of the patient’s discomfort and the prolonged ICU treatment, oral aciclovir therapy 400 mg five times daily was administered, which resulted in rapid improvement of pain and ulcerations 4 . Given the patient’s age and the rare secondary manifestation of HSV‐1 in the oral cavity, we believe that the COVID‐19 infection and prolonged inpatient care were causal factors of stress induction and immunosuppression, leading to the distinct oral manifestations.…”

Toddler with a sore forefinger

“…Although only a limited number of studies prove efficacy of aciclovir in HW, it remains the treatment of choice. A Cochrane review shows that aciclovir reduces the duration of PHGS by a few days 3 …”

Human tail

“…A Cochrane review shows that aciclovir reduces the duration of PHGS by a few days. 3 Incision and drainage is contraindicated in HW as it increases the risk of viraemia, secondary bacterial infection and HSV encephalitis. 4 The ominous bluish-grey discolouration of the distal phalanx made us seek a surgical opinion but a definitive diagnosis of HW helped to prevent intervention.…”

COVID‐19‐associated herpetic gingivostomatitis

“…Because of the patient’s discomfort and the prolonged ICU treatment, oral aciclovir therapy 400 mg five times daily was administered, which resulted in rapid improvement of pain and ulcerations 4 . Given the patient’s age and the rare secondary manifestation of HSV‐1 in the oral cavity, we believe that the COVID‐19 infection and prolonged inpatient care were causal factors of stress induction and immunosuppression, leading to the distinct oral manifestations.…”

Toddler with a sore forefinger

“…Although only a limited number of studies prove efficacy of aciclovir in HW, it remains the treatment of choice. A Cochrane review shows that aciclovir reduces the duration of PHGS by a few days 3 …”

Human tail

“…A Cochrane review shows that aciclovir reduces the duration of PHGS by a few days. 3 Incision and drainage is contraindicated in HW as it increases the risk of viraemia, secondary bacterial infection and HSV encephalitis. 4 The ominous bluish-grey discolouration of the distal phalanx made us seek a surgical opinion but a definitive diagnosis of HW helped to prevent intervention.…”

COVID‐19‐associated herpetic gingivostomatitis

“…Because of the patient’s discomfort and the prolonged ICU treatment, oral aciclovir therapy 400 mg five times daily was administered, which resulted in rapid improvement of pain and ulcerations 4 . Given the patient’s age and the rare secondary manifestation of HSV‐1 in the oral cavity, we believe that the COVID‐19 infection and prolonged inpatient care were causal factors of stress induction and immunosuppression, leading to the distinct oral manifestations.…”

Toddler with a sore forefinger

“…Although only a limited number of studies prove efficacy of aciclovir in HW, it remains the treatment of choice. A Cochrane review shows that aciclovir reduces the duration of PHGS by a few days 3 …”

Human tail

“…A Cochrane review shows that aciclovir reduces the duration of PHGS by a few days. 3 Incision and drainage is contraindicated in HW as it increases the risk of viraemia, secondary bacterial infection and HSV encephalitis. 4 The ominous bluish-grey discolouration of the distal phalanx made us seek a surgical opinion but a definitive diagnosis of HW helped to prevent intervention.…”