ASPIRIN IN THE MANAGEMENT OF RECURRENT HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS INFECTION: A RANDOMIZED BLINDED, CONTROLLED CROSSOVER TRIAL

Background: Recurrent or facial herpes simplex infection is a troublesome condition. In addition, it can cause some complication as recurrent erythema multiform and eczema herpeticum. Effectiveness in the prevention of recurrence of or facial herpes infection with acyclovir has been shown, but acyclovir is costy and not completely safe over years of treatment. Some studies have been shown the effectiveness of low dose of aspirin in prevention of recurrent herpes simplex infection. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of low dose of aspirin in reducing the duration and recurrent attacks of or facial herpes simplex infection.
 Method: In a double blind randomized controlled clinical trial with cross over method, 50 patients with recurrent or facial herpes simplex infection that refer to dermatologic clinics of Isfahan university & medical sciences during the year of 1999-2000 that had inclusion criteria have been selected by using a convenience sampling method and put in 2 groups as follows:
 Group one received one tablet of drug A and group B one tablet of drug B per day for three months. In the next step, these two groups changed places, and monthly follow ups were performed for 3 months.
 At the end of the study, we found that drug A was aspirin and the other was placebo. The data were evaluated by using chi, square test and SPSS program.
 Results: Among 22 patients in each group which completed the course of study during the first three months: In the first group (aspirin group), recurrences was occurred in six patients (22.27%) and in the second group (placebo group), 18 cases (81.81%) had recurrences (P < 0.05). In this period, decrease in duration of disease was seen in 19 patients (36.36%) in aspirin group and in 8 patients (36.36%) in placebo group (P < 0.05). In the second three months: recurrences was occurred in 19 patients (86.36%). In placebo group and in 5 cases (32.27%) in aspirin group (P < 0.05). In this period decrease in duration of disease was seen in 8 patients (36036%) in placebo group and in 20 casses (90.90%) in aspirin group (p < 0.05).
 Discussion: Results of this study showed that aspirin decreases recurrence instances and the duration of recurrent or facial herpes simplex infection