Low concentration zinc sulphate solution in the management of recurrent herpes simplex infection

The document reports on a double-blind, cross-over trial to assess the effectiveness of low concentration zinc sulphate solution in treating recurrent herpes simplex infection. The trial included 26 male and female patients who had experienced more than five attacks in the previous year. The patients were randomly assigned to receive either a placebo solution or a solution containing 0.05% zinc sulphate for cutaneous infections or 0.025% for mucous membrane infections. They applied the solution daily during an acute attack and weekly as a prophylactic measure. After 6 months, treatments were switched and continued for another 6 months. Only ten patients completed the full trial. The results, analyzed using a standard 't'-test for the first treatment period only, showed that the number, duration, or severity of attacks were not significantly reduced by the zinc sulphate solution compared to the control. The study concluded that while it does not rule out a therapeutic effect of zinc sulphate, the results do not support its use as a treatment for acute attacks or as a prophylactic treatment for recurrent herpes simplex infections.