Biomaterial Database

Review of antiviral therapy for herpes labialis, genital herpes and herpes zoster. 2003

Michelle D Moomaw, and Paul Cornea, and R Chris Rathbun, and Karen A Wendel

Oklahoma University Health Science Center Department of Internal Medicine, Section Infectious Diseases, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.

Acyclovir (Zovirax) was approved for the treatment of herpesvirus infections almost two decades ago. It was the first agent in a novel group of antiviral medications that now include valacyclovir (Valtrex), penciclovir (Denavir and famciclovir (Famvir). These agents have made a dramatic impact on the morbidity associated with herpes simplex virus infections and herpes zoster. Topical and oral antiviral use have shown modest but statistically significant efficacy in treating herpes labialis with most studies demonstrating a significant reduction in episode length and/or healing time. Oral acyclovir, valacyclovir and famciclovir are efficacious and safe for the treatment of the first episode and recurrent genital herpes and are useful as suppressive therapy for individuals with frequent genital herpes recurrences. In addition, high doses of oral acyclovir, valacyclovir and famciclovir have been shown to speed the healing of herpes zoster, and data suggests that these agents also decrease associated acute and chronic pain in people of 50 years of age or older. Further research is required to clarify the safety of these agents in pregnant women with genital herpes, the role of antiviral therapy in decreasing the sexual transmission of genital herpes, and the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of these agents in treating herpes zoster in people below the age of 50 years.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009705	Nucleosides	Purine or pyrimidine bases attached to a ribose or deoxyribose. (From King & Stansfield, A Dictionary of Genetics, 4th ed)	Nucleoside,Nucleoside Analog,Nucleoside Analogs,Analog, Nucleoside,Analogs, Nucleoside
D011247	Pregnancy	The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH.	Gestation,Pregnancies
D011251	Pregnancy Complications, Infectious	The co-occurrence of pregnancy and an INFECTION. The infection may precede or follow FERTILIZATION.	Complications, Infectious Pregnancy,Infectious Pregnancy Complications,Maternal Sepsis,Pregnancy, Infectious Complications,Sepsis during Pregnancy,Sepsis in Pregnancy,Infectious Pregnancy Complication,Pregnancy Complication, Infectious,Sepsis in Pregnancies,Sepsis, Maternal
D005260	Female		Females
D006558	Herpes Genitalis	Infection of the genitals (GENITALIA) with HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS in either the males or the females.	Genital Herpes,Herpes Simplex, Genital,Herpes Simplex Virus Genital Infection,Genital Herpes Simplex,Herpes, Genital
D006560	Herpes Labialis	Herpes simplex, caused by type 1 virus, primarily spread by oral secretions and usually occurring as a concomitant of fever. It may also develop in the absence of fever or prior illness. It commonly involves the facial region, especially the lips and the nares. (Dorland, 27th ed.)	Cold Sore,Fever Blister,Herpes Simplex, Labial,Blister, Fever,Blisters, Fever,Cold Sores,Fever Blisters,Labial Herpes Simplex,Sore, Cold,Sores, Cold
D006562	Herpes Zoster	An acute infectious, usually self-limited, disease believed to represent activation of latent varicella-zoster virus (HERPESVIRUS 3, HUMAN) in those who have been rendered partially immune after a previous attack of CHICKENPOX. It involves the SENSORY GANGLIA and their areas of innervation and is characterized by severe neuralgic pain along the distribution of the affected nerve and crops of clustered vesicles over the area. (From Dorland, 27th ed)	Shingles,Zona,Zoster
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D000998	Antiviral Agents	Agents used in the prophylaxis or therapy of VIRUS DISEASES. Some of the ways they may act include preventing viral replication by inhibiting viral DNA polymerase; binding to specific cell-surface receptors and inhibiting viral penetration or uncoating; inhibiting viral protein synthesis; or blocking late stages of virus assembly.	Antiviral,Antiviral Agent,Antiviral Drug,Antivirals,Antiviral Drugs,Agent, Antiviral,Agents, Antiviral,Drug, Antiviral,Drugs, Antiviral