THERMOGRAPHIC RESOLUTION OF THE PRODROMAL PHASE OF HERPES LABIALIS TREATED WITH ACYCLOVIR

We present a case of recurrent herpes labialis treated with acyclovir. The patient attended within 3 h of the onset of prodrome of the condi tion, when he appeared clinically normal. Electronic infra-red thermog raphy of the face and lips was undertaken and demonstrated a significa nt sub-clinical local elevation in temperature of 1.7 degrees C at the site where prodromal symptoms were perceived. Treatment with topical acyclovir cream five times daily was commenced immediately and aborted the developing lesion. Two days after presentation the patient was th ermographically normal. To our knowledge this is the first report docu menting the abortion of herpes labialis treated with acyclovir where t he prodrome was confirmed thermographically.