Acyclovir prevents reactivation of herpes simplex labialis in skiers

S. L. Spruance, M. L. Hamill, W. S. Hoge, L. G. Davis and J. Mills
Department of Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City 84132.

To determine the effectiveness of an antiviral to prevent herpes labialis during a brief, high-risk circumstance, 147 persons with a history of sun-induced recurrences were treated prophylactically with oral acyclovir or matching placebo and were observed during their ski holidays. Five (7%) of 75 acyclovir-treated subjects developed lesions compared with 19 (26%) of 72 persons in the placebo group.

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