TREATING VIRAL VENEREAL INFECTIONS WITH THE CO2-LASER

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 27  (12) , 737-742
Abstract
Viral venereal infections caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 and papillomavirus (wart) are epidemic diseases in the USA. Unfortunately, these 2 infections have eluded conventional therapy to date. Therefore, 306 women were treated for viral venereal diseases with the CO2 laser. Patients (228) were treated for condyloma acuminatum and 78 for genital herpes. All the patients who underwent treatment for herpes were enrolled in an investigative protocol. Since the viral organisms of both diseases replicate in either the basal or prickle cell layers of the epithelium, deep laser treatment is not necessary; treatment to a depth of 1-2 mm is adequate. The average power densities ranged from 311 to 660 w/cm2. Herpes patients responded with relief of pain and elimination of viral infectivity for that cycle. Patients with primary herpes were cured in 83% of cases. Condyloma acuminatum could be eliminated with the CO2 laser in virtually every woman.

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