MANAGEMENT OF RECURRENT HERPES LABIALIS IN IMMUNOSUPPRESSED PATIENT – A CASE REPOR

The clinical manifestations of herpes simplex virus (HSV-1 and -2) are found in both immunocompetent patients and in those immunocompromised. However, the typical lesions observed among immunosuppressed patients usually become more severe, long-lasting and require different interventions in individuals whose immune systems can not limit the infection. Secondary or recurrent HSV-1 infection occurs through the reactivation of the virus, although many patients may present only asymptomatic infection in saliva. The hallmark of the recurrent herpes labialis is characterized by burning sensation, itching, tingling or localized heat followed by the appearance of a rash before the onset of the bullous and vesicular lesions. The majority of cases are treated by antiretroviral drugs. For this reason, clinicians need to be aware of atypical cases which suggest a clinical immunosuppression that have not yet diagnosed. The aim of this article is to report a case of recurrent herpes labialis of an immunosuppressed patient.