Treatment of herpes Zooster - Shingles Part 2

Pain: One may take over the counter pain medications or obtain prescription based pain killers. The intensity of pain is reduced but some degree of pain always remains.

Topical local anesthetics are only partially effective for pain relief and need frequent applications. A variety of gel anesthetic formulations are available and do help reduce the pain.

Steroids: These drugs can be applied locally to decrease the inflammation and stop the itch. In addition, the skin swelling and redness may also decrease with time.

Anti viral Drugs: Shingles is often treated with acyclovir. Other related drugs that may be used include famciclovir or valacyclovir (valtrex). These medications are effective when given within the first 48 hours after the onset of symptoms. If the diagnosis has been delayed for more than 72 hours, there is little point in buying these expensive medications.

Tricyclic antidepressants are excellent for the treatment of post herpetic neuralgia. Post herpetic neuralgia is basically the residual pain that occurs after shingles. These drugs take a few days to work but are very effective.

Some physicians even prescribe anti convulsants for the treatment of post-herpetic neuralgia. These drugs also effective in reducing the pain.

There is also a topical ointment formulation of capsaicin which helps reduce the pain. However it only works in mild cases.

Cyberspace is inundated with hundreds of nonsensical therapies for herpes zoster. Infact everything underneath the sun has been advocated as a treatment for this painful disorder. In reality, most of these dealers on cyberspace are scam artists simply preying on individuals who are most vulnerable. The last place one should resort for treatment of herpes zoster is the internet. Chances are you will end up being disappointed.

Treatment of Herpes Genitalis Part 2

The anti viral medications available today all require a prescription. The current antiviral drugs available to treat type 2 herpes simplex include:

- Acyclovir (Zovirax)
- Famcyclovir (Famvir)
- Valacyclovir (Valtrex)

Acyclovir is probably the best and most effective. It comes as a topical cream and a pill. The topical cream is expensive and useless. It is a complete waste of one’s money. It only reduces the infective period by a day or two at most. The oral pill is effective and decrease the duration of infection and recurrences. However, it has to be taken 5 times a day, for 10 days and costs a fortune.

Oral anti-viral medications such as famciclovir or valacyclovir have been developed to effectively treat herpes infections. These medications can be used to treat the acute infection or may be used to prevent recurrences. Unlike acyclovir, these medications are generally used in the sick patients who have other illnesses. The drugs are also fairly expensive.

Treatment of Herpes Genitalis Part 1

Pain Medications

The pain can vary in intensity and most individuals require pain control. Over the counter pain medications are effective for most individuals but some may require much stronger prescription pain pills. One should never apply any cortisone to the infected area. Cortisone encourages virus growth and makes the condition worse. Application of topical local anesthetics may help but unfortunately, the pain relief is not long or strong enough.

Antiviral Therapy

The best and most effective treatment of genital herpes is antiviral medication. The anti viral drugs stop the virus from multiplying. The drugs can shorten the duration of a herpes outbreak and reduce the number of repeat infections. Unfortunately, the drugs only work if taken continuously. This may not be practical and cost effective. Not only that, these drugs are most effective when taken within 24 hours after the outbreak of the infection. If this time period is delayed, the course of the herpes virus infection is not altered significantly.

For those who have an acute infection, the antiviral medication can reduce the number of days the infection is present. This is very helpful to those who have been plagued with painful blisters. There is a topical antiviral drug available. For those who have recurrent infections, the anti viral drugs have to be taken everyday. This is expensive and not practical.