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Published on: December 18, 2012
Recurrent herpes and post-traumatic stress disorder
Georges Brousse1, Julie Geneste, Audrey Schmitt
1CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Pôle Urgences, Clermont-Ferrand, France. gbrousse@chu-clermontferrand.fr
Summary
This case study highlights how treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with venlafaxine resolved recurrent perioral herpes outbreaks in a patient. Effective stress disorder management can prevent herpes flare-ups.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Dermatology
- Virology
Background:
- Recurrent perioral herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections can be disfiguring and treatment-resistant.
- Stress and psychological trauma are known triggers for herpes outbreaks.
Observation:
- A 33-year-old male experienced severe, therapy-resistant perioral herpes following a road accident.
- Psychiatric evaluation revealed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) linked to the accident.
Findings:
- Venlafaxine treatment (50 mg/day) successfully resolved PTSD symptoms within 8 weeks.
- Following PTSD symptom resolution, the patient remained herpes-free for approximately 10 months.
Implications:
- This suggests a significant link between psychological stress disorders and recurrent herpes simplex virus (HSV) reactivation.
- Managing stress disorders, particularly PTSD, may be a crucial therapeutic strategy for controlling recalcitrant perioral herpes.
- Further research into psychoneuroimmunology and stress-management interventions for viral infections is warranted.
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