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Update on antiviral therapy for herpes simplex virus infection
Author(s) -
Pielop Josie,
Wood Amy C.,
Hsu Sylvia
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
dermatologic therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.595
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1529-8019
pISSN - 1396-0296
DOI - 10.1046/j.1529-8019.2000.00026.x
Subject(s) - medicine , herpes simplex virus , transmission (telecommunications) , asymptomatic , herpes labialis , virology , immunology , virus , viral shedding , population , serology , valaciclovir , genital herpes , herpesviridae , viral disease , antibody , environmental health , electrical engineering , engineering
The prevalence of infection with herpes simplex virus (HSV) continues to increase largely due to the inability of current antiviral agents to eradicate latent infection. This article reviews strategies to slow the transmission of HSV infection, most importantly through the development of vaccines, as well as established and emerging choices for treatment of primary and recurrent genital herpes, herpes labialis, infections in immunocompromised hosts, and acyclovir‐resistant infections. The role of chronic suppressive therapy in the management of genital herpes as well as its potential impact on transmission rates will also be discussed. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a widespread pathogen in the United States, with more than 100 million U.S. citizens having serologic evidence of HSV‐1 infection and 40–60 million, nearly one‐fifth of the adolescent and adult population, infected with HSV‐2 (1,2). The prevalence of HSV‐2, the major cause of genital herpes, has increased 30% since the late 1970s (2). The fact that most of those infected with HSV are asymptomatic and yet may still be subclinically shedding virus further complicates efforts to slow the spread of transmission (3). Therefore proper management of herpetic infections requires that the clinician be able to effectively diagnose those with HSV infection, to educate them regarding means of spread and symptoms indicative of infection, and to adequately treat infections which are identified in order to alleviate patient symptoms and slow the transmission of the virus. We review options for preventing infection, treating primary infections, and treating recurrent infections in order to accomplish these goals.