Čes. slov. farm. 2017, 66(3):95-102 | DOI: 10.36290/csf.2017.015

Herpes simplex virus infection: an overview of the problem, pharmacologic therapy and dietary measures

Sherif T. S. Hassan^1,2,*, Miroslava Šudomová³, Radka Masarčíková⁴

¹ Ústav přírodních léčiv, Veterinární a farmaceutická univerzita FaF, Brno

² Katedra aplikované ekologie, Fakulta životního prostředí, Česká zemědělská univerzita, Praha

³ Muzeum Brněnska, p.o. - Památník písemnictví na Moravě, Předklášteří

⁴ Ústav přírodních léčiv, Veterinární a farmaceutická univerzita FaF, Brno

Treatment of infectious diseases remains one of the principal research target for many researchers and healthcare providers worldwide. Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) are common human pathogens with an estimated 60-95% of the adult population infected by at least one of them. The worldwide disease burden of HSV is substantial, and acyclovir and related nucleoside analogues (viral DNA polymerase inhibitors) as therapies have led to significantly increased treatment efficacy of HSV infections. Although the treatment of HSV infection has greatly advanced through the use of nucleoside analogues therapy, the treatment efficacy has decreased significantly. This is due to the extensive use of nucleoside analogues drugs, which has created drug resistance, associated with other adverse effects as well. In this review, we aim to shed light on the HSV infection, the current pharmacologic treatment, and the use of dietary measures as alternative therapy option.

Keywords: HSV infection; dietary measures; antiviral drugs; nucleoside analogues; natural compounds

Received: April 23, 2017; Accepted: May 21, 2017; Published: March 1, 2017  Show citation