HE has created everything. HE has given us happiness to appreciate life and grief to become stronger, while trying to live through it. HE teaches us, leads us through the life way and punishes if we misbehave. Everything we have is sent by God.

Still there are some things I would prefer to think were sent not by God. They look like Devil’s work. Herpes, for example. Millions of people worldwide are conquered, subdued by it. The disease is not lethal; nevertheless, it takes happiness, joy and actually life away. It causes depression and total frustration stealing self-confidence, courage and will to live.

The worst thing about herpes is that it cannot be cured. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) targets a human body, entering it usually in the most vulnerable areas: face (the disease is named cold sores) and genitals (resulting in genital herpes). From time to time the virus wakes up and provokes outbreaks. Pain, itching, red skin and blisters are the symptoms of those recurrences.

The distressing disease is extremely contagious: a person can transmit it to the others even between the outbreaks. Up to 30 % of the US kids younger than 10 have already got the virus (the first outbreak in them is usually asymptomatic; therefore, they do not suffer much).

Nowadays there exist several very effective means to ease the pain, shorten the duration and decrease the frequency of outbreaks. Some scientists suggest that these medications can even prevent the transmission of the virus to the other people.

Valtrex is one the drugs to fight HSV. It is a prescription FDA approved oral pill. Its main component is valacyclovir, an antiviral agent. It works practically the same as the other two popular anti-herpes medications Zovirax (acyclovir) and Famvir (famciclovir): suppressing the activity of the virus. Actually, valacyclovir is transformed into acyclovir (the first and the oldest means for fighting this disease) in the organism; however, it has stronger bioactivity, which helps fight herpes virus more effectively with smaller doses.

Valtrex works best if taken in the first 24 hours after the symptoms of the outbreak appear. In this case a person may even prevent the forming of the blisters. For such episodic treatment valacyclovir is used twice a day. To compare: Famciclovir is taken 3 and Zovirax 5 times.

Suppressive treatment of the very frequent herpes recurrences is carried out by taking Valtrex once or twice a day. The effectiveness is firmly proved: this medication prevents or delays up to 85% of herpes outbreaks. The dosage of Famvir is the same - 2 times; acyclovir should be taken 2, 3 or 4 times a day to achieve such results.

Cold sore is treated by Valtrex for one day only. A patient should take two doses 12 hours apart.

Side effects of valacyclovir are nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dizziness, stomach pain and painful periods – the majority of these we can experience taking practically any medications. Still, mood changes, vision disturbance, speech problems are the signs of danger. Allergic reaction is unlikely to be caused by Valtrex.

People with a weakened immune system (due to HIV disease), those, who have any organ transplant, or suffer kidney disease can be treated with the drug under description, though side effects often happen to be more serious in them. Pregnant and breastfeeding women are not recommended to take Valtrex.

The drug can interact with such medications as cimetidine, fosphenytoin, phenytoin and probenecid. Therefore, it is necessary to tell your doctor if you take any of these, as well as about all the other health problems you experience. Plus, a patient must always stick strictly to the prescription.

Remember: the result of the treatment depends not only on the doctor, but on the patient as well.

Ivanna

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External resources
http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2002/202_herp.html

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