[Specific and unspecific immune stimulation in recurrent herpes simplex]

According to the present state of our knowledge the clinical picture of the recurrent herpes simplex and the recurrent stomatitis aphthosa is due to a weakness of the immune defense. It cannot be decided yet if it is but a quantitative weakness or if it is a special form of disturbance in the permeation, which allows the virus to remain alive and to reactivate after a short period of time. Injection of a specific herpes simplex vaccine (HVH-1 or HVH-2 strain) or administration of Levamisol are at present the most promising ways of treatment. Both kinds of treatment are well tolerated, they give the same results in herpes simplex recidivans labialis, and whilst in herpes simplex recidivans genitalis the vaccine should be preferred, Levamisol should be given preference in stomatitis aphthosa on account of its broad (less specific) range of action.