Comparison 2. Steroid in combination with antiviral drug versus placebo.

Outcome or subgroup title	No. of studies	No. of participants	Statistical method	Effect size
1 Duration of fever. Steroids in combination with acyclovir	1	30	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	3.0 [0.68, 13.31]
2 Severe pharyngeal discomfort between 2 and 4 days. Steroids in combination with acyclovir	1	85	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.31 [0.09, 1.08]
3 Resolution of fatigue at 20 days. Steroids in combination with valacyclovir	1	30	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	8.0 [1.52, 42.04]
4 Regain of weight at 14 days	1	79	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.66 [0.26, 1.66]
5 Selected symptom score improvement	1	30	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	9.33 [0.96, 90.94]
6 Total symptom score improvement	1	30	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	2.0 [0.38, 10.51]