Efficacy of Hoa Long in the prevention of recurrent herpes: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo controlled trial

ABSTRACT

Women of reproductive age seeking care at the Gynecology Clinic/Hung Vuong Hospital who were HSV-2 (+). Study subjects were randomized to receive either Hoa Long or placebo for oral administration in 12 days, then examined at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment. Findings: During the first year, 30.6% and 55.6% of the women allocated to HL and GD groups, respectively, had at least one episode of recurrent herpes. In addition, count and proportion of lymphocytes were higher in HL than in GD group. At 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment, CD 4 counts were 806.9, 701.2 and 800.1, respectively, for HL group, compared with 629.2, 584.2 and 629.3, respectively, for GD group. Similarly, CD 8 counts at 3, 6 and 12 months were 771.2, 614.7 and 824.1, respectively, for HL group, compared with 689.1, 489.3 and 596.4, respectively, for GD group. Among HSV-2 (+) women, Hoa Long increases CD 4 and CD 8 counts and reduces the recurrence rate of herpes during the first year after treatment