Sodium hypochlorite in the treatment of herpes simplex virus infections.

In a small series of patients, topical treatment with dilute sodium hypochlorite hastened the resolution of cutaneous and mucosal lesions caused by herpes simplex virus. Subjective discomfort was ameliorated and vesicles healed more rapidly. Sites treated during the prodrome stage failed to vesiculate. The advantages of this therapy included ease of treatment, patient acceptance, absence of side effects, and low cost.