Treatment of herpes simplex labialis with low power laser therapy.

Abstract

Introduction: Herpes simplex is caused by Herpes virus hominis, producing an acute eruptive affection marked by groups of vesicles on the skin, often on the borders of the lips or nares (cold sores) or on the genitals (genital herpes); it often accompanies fever (fever blisters, herpes febrilis).
Objective: Effectiveness of the treatment with low power laser therapy was evaluated against the conventional treatment in people assisting to the clinical evolution, disappearance of symptoms and signs in patients with herpes simplex labialis.
Methods: The sample was constituted by 60 patients attending the consultation of dermatology for this entity, in four policlinics of the Cuban capital during 2006. It was carried out an explanatory study of experimental and prospective type; two types of treatments were applied, the conventional with acyclovir (either oral or topically) and low power laser therapy (unique treatment).
Results: Women prevalence was high 78.3%; the affected age group was 28 and 37 years (45.5%); disappearance of symptoms and signs in the conventional treatment needed 7.3 sessions, while laser therapy needed 5.2 sessions. There were statistically significant differences between both treatments; as for the clinical evolution both treatments had higher percentage of cured patients. It is recommended to evaluate in long periods the presence of relapses and that it is used this treatment technique like an option of treatment’s alternatives to improve the quality of patients’ lives.