Doctors On Call

Zovirax –When is this medication prescribed?

Human race has only one true enemy and those are viruses. They say that the viruses are the only thing that is capable of destroying the entire human race with a single swoop. Sure, some of the most deadly diseases have been caused by bacteria, but the viruses have also had their influence on thinning out the humanity at different points in time. First of all we had all the influenza pandemics that have caused deaths of hundreds of millions in just the 20^th century. Then, we were faced with HIV that threatened to be the virus that was going to wipe us all out. We also encountered some viruses that were much more violent than HIV, but that we managed to keep under control. However, viruses still have the potential of developing new strains that will be capable of destroying our society as we know it. However, most types of viruses can still be treated and Zovirax is one of the most effective antiviral medications out there, although it is targeted at only certain types of viruses, such as herpes simplex viruses, varicella zoster virus, Epstein-Barr virus and Cytomegalovirus. Herpes simplex viruses are responsible for different herpes infections that range from genital herpes to cold sores, while the varicella zoster viruses are responsible for chicken pox and herpes zoster which is in fact caused by the same varicella virus that caused chicken pox in the patient in the past. It reactivates at a certain point in time and starts causing new problems. Zovirax is used to treat all these conditions, not to cure infections, but to control the infections, making them shorter and treating the symptoms.

What else should I know about Zovirax Treatment?

Zovirax is one of the medications that are best tolerated by patients and this is in fact the most important reason why Zovirax is considered as the beginning of the new era in treating viruses. It is very selective and it extremely low in cytotoxicity, meaning that it has very few unwanted side effects. In fact, the person who developed this medication got the Nobel Prize in 1988. However, your doctor still will need to know if you are allergic to this medication or if you have severe kidney disease of any kind. In these cases, you are most probably going to be prescribed with a different antiviral medication. Once your Zovirax regimen starts, you will need to stick to the prescribed dosage, schedule and the duration of your regimen. The last part is extremely important as there are people who cease to use Zovirax once their symptoms have subsided. You should never do this as you risk the infection from starting all over again. It is best to finish the treatment in full if you wish to prevent reappearance of the infection. You also need to know that taking Zovirax does not prevent you from infecting other people with herpes virus and you should take precaution not to by avoiding any contact with affected areas of the body.

Symmetrel- what can it be used for?

Symmetrel is a medication that is most commonly used in prevention of influenza and in treatment of Parkinson’s disease. During our history, different types of influenzas have caused more death than all the wars combined. The most deadly outbreaks of influenza in recorded history include the Spanish flu which killed between 50 and 100 million people worldwide and the Asian flu that took between 1 and 4 million lives. There have been many more outbreaks of different types of influenzas and they have all taken their toll on the lives of millions of people. Every now and then, we are faced with the new potential killer influenza, the latest one being the Swine flu which created worldwide panic. Influenza infections also include the common flu, the seasonal flu. We may think that this seasonal flu is not anything serious, but it is estimated that it causes up to 36,000 deaths each year in United States alone. It is therefore very important that there is an anti-viral medication that can be used as a prevention of this infection, especially in people with immunodeficiency or people who are more likely to get infected, such as residents of nursing homes. Symmetrel is such a medication and it can also relieve the symptoms and speed up the healing process once the infection is already present in the patient.

In addition to this use, Symmetrel has also been accidentally discovered to have a beneficial effect on patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease, helping with certain motor functions. Some other uses of Symmetrel include the treatment of fatigue that is caused by multiple sclerosis, treatment of ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, as well as help patients with SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction. In these cases, Symmetrel is believed to restore the balance of certain chemicals, or neurotransmitters in the brain.

Some information on Symmetrel treatment

If you are allergic to this medication, to similar medications, in fact, if you have any other allergies, make sure that you inform your doctor about this. You need to do the same in case you are suffering from any such conditions like glaucoma, peripheral edema, heart problems, issues with your blood pressure, any kidney or liver diseases, certain psychological conditions, seizures or eczematoid dermatitis. In such cases, your doctor will most likely want you to undergo some special tests that will help them decide if your Symmetrel treatment is going to be a safe one. Keep in mind also that Symmetrel can cause you to feel dizzy and drowsy. If it does, make sure that you do not drive, operate machinery or take part in any potentially hazardous activities until you feel that these side effects have gone away. You should also ensure that you complete the entire regimen as this will ensure that you experience all the beneficial effects of Symmetrel. Furthermore, it would be best if you could take Symmetrel at the same time each day, to ensure the same levels of the drug in your system, which also contributes to a successful Symmetrel treatment.

Rebetol- useful in treating many viral infections

They do say that if there is anything that is capable of wiping out the human race, then those are viruses. We have been witnesses to many viral infections that are among the most dangerous quirks of nature that we have encountered. We have experienced the HIV pandemic that once threatened to consume the world and we have since been exposed to viruses that make HIV look like chicken pox. However, most viral infections, at least the ones we have encountered so far can be treated by some kind of medication that has been developed with this purpose in mind. Rebetol is one such medication, an anti-viral drug that is used in treating different viral infections, most commonly severe RSV infections and hepatitis C. RSV infections are viral infections that affect the pulmonary system and in extreme cases these infections can be quite dangerous. Rebetol is used for treatment of the most severe form of these infections. Hepatitis C is a viral infection that affects the liver and that can lead to complications and developments that can be life-threatening, such as cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer which is one of the cancers which is most resilient to chemotherapy. The biggest problem with hepatitis C is that in early stages it is practically impossible to diagnose as there are no symptoms that can be observed. Also, unlike for hepatitis B, there is no vaccine against hepatitis C. Rebetol is one of the medications that is most commonly used in cases of hepatitis C, usually in conjunction with some other medications. In addition to these, Rebetol is also sometimes used for treating such viral hemorrhagic fevers such as Lassa fever, Hantavirus infection, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever and influenza.

Other important information about Rebetol

Rebetol is a very potent medication and it can therefore affect many organs and many conditions that you might be suffering from. For example, if you have anemia, autoimmune hepatitis, severe liver disease or if you are allergic to Rebetol, you will not be able to use this medication. You and your doctor will also need to take special precaution if you are suffering from any of these: HIV, diabetes, pancreas disorder, sarcoidosis, breathing problems, thyroid disorder, history of any heart problems, if you have any transplanted organs or if you have history of suicidal tendencies or depression. It is of utmost importance that you take Rebetol exactly as prescribed by your doctor and that you complete the entire regimen, even if you feel that the symptoms have gone away before the scheduled regimen has passed. It is also important that you inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding as Rebetol can birth defects and harm your baby. Also, speak to your doctor about any side effects that can be caused by Rebetol, as well as about any other medications that you might want to take while your Rebetol regimen is in effect.

Famvir –what type of a medication is it?

Famvir is an antiviral drug, meaning that it is mainly used in treating viral infections that cause different conditions. Famvir is mainly used for treating herpesvirus infections, which come in a variety of different forms. For example, one of the most common uses is in cases of herpes zoster, or shingles as it is commonly known. Shingles are in fact caused by the same chicken zoster virus that caused chicken pox that you suffered from earlier in your life. Once the chicken pox are treated, the virus is still present in the body and in some cases; this virus travels down and affects certain nerves, causing shingles. This condition is characterized by severe pain and some other symptoms. Famvir helps in treating shingles, but it can also be used for other viral infections, such as genital herpes, cold sores and it also suppresses recurring episodes of herpes simplex virus, especially in patients with HIV whose immune system has been compromised and unable to deal with these infections on its own.

Taking Famvir to best effect

Famvir, like all prescription drugs, needs to be used in accordance to the prescription given to you by your doctor. However, before you are prescribed with Famvir, your doctor needs to know if you are allergic to Famvir, or to other similar medications. They also need to know if you suffer from any kidney disease, severe lactase deficiency, galactose deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption. If you are, they will want to run some additional tests and to adjust your dosage in order to make sure you will experience no side effects of Famvir. It is best if Famvir is taken as soon as the first symptoms of the viral infections appear, such as blisters, tingling or burning. You also need to make sure that you complete your Famvir regimen in full, as stopping to use it before may cause the infection to come back. Some people do this because they think that absence of any symptoms means that the infection has been cured, when it might not be. You would also do well to drink plenty of water when taking Famvir as your kidneys need all the help they can get when metabolizing a medication this powerful. Also, keep in mind that taking Famvir does not prevent you from infecting other people and you need to make sure to make as little contact as possible, especially with the areas that are infected. If you suffer from genital herpes, remember to use condoms to prevent it from spreading to your partner. Famvir does not cause any serious side effects, and the mild ones are also rare, including nausea, stomach pain, headache, diarrhea, dizziness, sleepiness and confusion. These are not a cause for alarm as they will subside on their own in time. You should also consult with your doctor about any medications that you wish to use while taking Famvir. This way you avoid any unwanted interactions between Famvir and other medicines.

HIV and Epivir

Epivir is a medication that has been developed in the late 1980s for the treatment of HIV. The history of HIV is well known but it is always good to remind ourselves. It was first discovered in 1981 and in the following 25 years, up to 2006, it was responsible for the death of estimated 25 million people or even more. It is a viral infection, a human immunodeficiency virus which causes AIDS if not treated and controlled with medications. AIDS, in turn is a condition that cannot be cured and that can only be controlled to a certain degree. HIV is a particularly big problem in poor areas of the world where there is not enough awareness of HIV and the ways in which it is contracted and prevented. Also, there are not enough anti-retroviral medications available in those countries that are necessary for controlling the HIV and preventing it from causing AIDS. One of those medications is Epivir and it is still among the most commonly used medications in prevention of AIDS and in managing HIV. It works in such a way that it prevents HIV from spreading any further and infecting new cells in the body. It has to be noted that Epivir will not cure HIV or AIDS and that it does not prevent you from infecting other people with HIV.

Hepatitis B and Epivir

Epivir can also be used in treating hepatitis B and it is then called Epivir-HBV. Hepatitis B is a condition that is caused by hepatitis B virus, or HBV for short, which is where Epivir-HBV got its name from. This infection affects the liver and causes inflammation that is called hepatitis. It is approximated that about one quarter of the world’s population, that is more than two billion people have contracted the hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis B can be prevented by vaccination, but if it is not, it can cause such acute symptoms like liver inflammation, jaundice, vomiting and in extreme cases also death. Chronic hepatitis B can also cause cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer which is very difficult to treat. Epivir, or its Epivir-HBV variation is used for treating hepatitis B and it work s in such a way that it prevents the hepatitis B virus from multiplying and infecting new liver cells. The amount of Epivir that is taken in cases of hepatitis B is much smaller than the one taken in cases of HIV.

What to keep in mind about Epivir treatment

The most important thing to keep in mind about a Epivir treatment is that you need to listen to your doctor and inform yourself about any possible side effects, interactions and procedures when an Epivir treatment is in question. This is the only way to ensure that you are going to feel all the potential benefits of an Epivir treatment and that you will do as much as possible to manage your condition.

Valtrex and its use in battle against herpes viruses

Valtrex is an antiviral medication and it is mainly used in treating infections by herpes simplex and herpes zoster viruses, as well as other infections caused by other viruses from the herpes family.

It is most effective against the herpes simplex virus type I which is responsible for a number of different conditions. When it infects the oral area, it is usually called cold sores while if it attacks the genital area, it is commonly known as just herpes. There are other disorders that can also be caused by this type of herpes virus, some of which are very serious. These disorders include encephalitis, herpetic whitlow, ocular herpes, herpes gladiatorum, Mollaret’s meningitis, as well as neonatal herpes. It is important to treat these disorders and infections as they can have serious complications and even be life-threatening.

Varicela zoster virus is responsible for two distinctive diseases. Namely, early in the life (in most cases), we suffer from a short-lived illness called chickenpox which is usually resolved quite quickly and without any complications. However, the virus is not expelled from the body and it stays dormant in the system. Usually many years after the infection, herpes zoster occurs, a disease which affects certain nerves and causes extreme pain and rash. It is possible to feel the consequences of herpes zoster for years after the disease has been cured. This is called postherpetic neuralgia.

The next virus in the family of herpes viruses is cytomegalovirus which is mainly responsible for HCMV infections which usually go unnoticed in people whose immune system is fully operational, but which can cause serious complications in people whose immune system has been compromised, like HIV patients, organ transplant recipients and newborns. It is therefore very fortunate that Valtrex is there to treat the infections caused by cytomegalovirus.

Epstein-Barr virus is the last from the herpes family of viruses that are susceptible to a Valtrex treatment and it is mainly responsible for infectious mononucleosis which usually happens in the adolescent age. However, this type of herpes virus is also associated with other conditions, which are usually very serious, such as Hodgkin lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, lymphomas of the CNS associated with HIV.

However, it has to be noted that Valtrex does not kill the viruses itself. It just prevents their spreading and allows the body to fight them off itself. It also alleviates certain symptoms of these infections, making it easier for the patient to cope with the infections.

When taking v, you need to be careful about taking it in case your immune system is compromised, if you have renal insufficiency or if you have had any organ transplants. It is of utmost importance that you complete your regimen in full, as only this ensures that the virus will not reappear and start spreading after the regimen was discontinued prematurely.