Antiviraux chez l’enfant en pratique de ville : infections herpétiques, varicelle, grippe

Human herpes virus (HSV), varicella-zoster virus (VZV), and the flu (influenza A and B) are very common in pediatrics and most often cause mild disease with spontaneous recovery. The use of influenza antivirals (neuraminidase inhibitors) has been studied in large randomized trials and is the focus of national and international recommendations. The use of anti-HSV and VZV compounds has not been the subject of large studies and is often more controversial (except for neonatal infection and/or meningoencephalitis). The objective of this review is therefore to offer an overview of the available data in the literature on the indications for antivirals for HSV-related infections (gingivostomatitis, recurrent herpes, herpetic whitlow), VZV (chickenpox, herpes zoster), and influenza in a pediatric outpatient setting.