Prophylactic valacyclovir in a patient with recurrent vestibular disturbances secondary to vestibular neuritis.

A 57-year-old woman with herpes labialis and previously diagnosed with vestibular neuritis experienced recurrences of vertigo and disequilibrium. Initially preceded by oral herpes outbreaks or upper respiratory infections, these recurrences became spontaneous and more frequent. Vestibular function demonstrated a 25% decrease in energy function in the right and the patient had left beating nystagmus on positional maneuver. Her reoccurrences of vestibular disturbances were followed up. Concurrently, she was prescribed daily valacyclovir (500 mg, 1 per day) given for the prevention of herpes labialis outbreaks by her primary care physician. Recurrences of disequilibrium stopped completely as well as oral herpes outbreaks.