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DOES ORAL ACICLOVIR IMPROVE CLINICAL OUTCOME IN IMMUNOCOMPETENT CHILDREN WITH PRIMARY HERPES SIMPLEX GINGIVOSTOMATITIS?
A 3-year-old previously well boy presents with a fever of 38.6°C and several ulcers and erosions extending from his lips, along the tongue and cheek, to the back of the throat. The lesions have all appeared within the last 2 days. He has been crying inconsolably over the past 24 h and is refusing food and drink. Considering the current evidence we question whether the use of oral aciclovir is indicated for primary herpes gingivostomatitis in children.
Structured clinical question
In an immunocompetent child presenting with primary herpes simplex gingivostomatitis [patient], does oral aciclovir [intervention] reduce the duration of symptoms [outcome]?
Clinical bottom line
Oral aciclovir given early in primary herpes gingivostomatitis has been shown to reduce duration of symptoms, improve healing of oral lesions and reduce infectivity of affected individuals. (Grade B)
Current evidence supports the use of oral aciclovir (15 mg/kg/five times a day for 7 days) in cases of primary herpes gingivostomatitis in immunocompetent children presenting within 72 h …
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