RESUMEN

A 40-year-old woman had suffered from genital herpes twice a year since approximately age 25 years. A year and a half before her first visit to our department, the frequency of her genital herpes had increased from 2 to 5 times a month. Continuous suppressive antiviral medication had not worked, and the patient was referred to our department. We discontinued the anti-herpes medication, and started treatment with Kampo (Japanese herbal) medicine. Initially, the patient’s symptoms did not improve with tokishigyakukagoshuyushokyoto for coldness of the hands and feet or hochuekkito for general fatigue. Then, on the basis of her symptoms of irritability, nightmares, dry skin and hair loss, we changed her prescription to juzentaihoto before meals and saikokeishikankyoto after meals. The frequency of genital herpes thereafter gradually decreased, and finally no further recurrences of herpes were observed as long as the patient was taking these two medicines. This result showed that some patients with recurrent genital herpes who fail to respond to antiviral therapy could be managed with Kampo medicine alone.