Treatment of mucocutaneous herpes simplex infections with acyclovir

Abstract

Topical acyclovir speeds healing and decreases viral shedding and pain in immunocompromised patients with chronic, ulcerative herpetic lesions; it may be used when one does not wish to add another systemic drug. In severe first-episode and life-threatening infections, acyclovir may be administered intravenously for 7 to 10 days. In milder and non-life-threatening first-episode infections, acyclovir may be given orally in a dosage of 200 mg five times a day for 10 days. With these doses, healing is 50% faster and viral shedding stops 90% sooner. Acyclovir given early during first-episode infections, especially true primary infections, may decrease immune responses to the virus, but these usually become normal later. Fewer than six recurrences a year may be managed by 200 mg acyclovir orally five times a day for 5 days beginning as soon as symptoms appear. More than six recurrences a year, often every month, may be managed by continuous suppressive oral acyclovir therapy. Kaposi's varicelliform eruption responds to acyclovir given orally or intravenously depending on circumstances. Primary and recurrent herpetic whitlow respond to acyclovir.