The effect of suppressive oral acyclovir on the psychological morbidity associated with recurrent genital herpes.

Human herpes simplex virus infections: Epidemiology, pathogenesis, symptomatology, diagnosis, and management

“…36 Other potential effects of suppressive therapy include reducing severity of symptoms, psychosexual complications, and the risk of transmission to sexual partners and babies of infected mothers. 257,259,262,285 Independent of the presence of triggers or risk factors, long-term antiviral prophylaxis may be started at any time and continued for an unspecified duration. 36 Issues of importance in long-term suppression include frequency and severity of outbreaks, level of interference with one's quality of life, absence of a well-defined prodrome, patient's immune status, and the risk of transmission to a seronegative partner.…”

Antiviral Therapy of Herpes simplex and Varicella-zoster Virus Infections

“…Several double-blind placebo-controlled trials demonstrated that continuous treatment with oral aciclovir at doses of 600-1,000 mg daily for periods of 3-6 months has a clear sup pressive effect on the rate of recurrences of genital herpes [54][55][56][57], Additional benefits of suppressive therapy w-ere a decreased risk of transmission to sexual partners and the positive impact on the psychological state of patients [58], Valaciclovir is also effective for prevention of recur rent diseases. Recently, two placebo-controlled, double blind, randomised trials in patients with a history of at least 6 genital herpes recurrences per year have been reported [59].…”

Oral Famciclovir for the Suppression of Recurrent Genital Herpes: The Combined Data from Two Randomized Controlled Trials

“…Most patients with symptomatic HSV-2 infection experience recurrences, 4 and these are not only painful but may also be associated with considerable psychosocial morbidity. 15 Mild or infrequent recurrences, particularly those that are preceded by an identifiable prodrome, can be managed with episodic therapy. Nevertheless, for some patients, suppressive therapy is desirable or necessary.…”

“…Nevertheless, for some patients, suppressive therapy is desirable or necessary. Suggested suitable candidates for suppressive therapy include patients with a history of frequent or severe recurrences that adversely affect their quality of life, 16,17 patients who are particularly distressed by or anxious about outbreaks, 15,16 and those who are involved in an ongoing intimate relationship with a HSV-2 seronegative partner. 18 The results presented here clearly demonstrate that famciclovir 250 mg twice daily is an effective suppressive therapy for patients with frequent recurrences of genital herpes.…”