Medical Questions » Viruses Questions » Question No. 1029
| Question: | My grandson suffers severely from a recurrent blistering rash across his face that I believe are cold sores. I have read that there is a drug to cure herpes infections. Will this drug work on cold sores as well as genital |
| Answer: | Zovirax (aciclovir) was the fitst effective antiviral drug ever developed. It is expensive, but also very effective in controlling infection by all forms of the herpes virus. There are several newer drugs that also act in this way.
The herpes virus causes cold sores, genital sores, shingles and chickenpox.
The drug has been used for some years to control genital herpes and shingles, but cases of severe cold sores can also be prevented and controlled by the drug. Because chickenpox is a self-limiting disease, it is only used to treat this disease in patients who have an inadequate immune system.
Zovirax can be used in a low dose long tetm to prevent infection, or at a high dose for a short time to settle an acute infection.
The government subsidises the cost of the drug under very strict guidelines. If your grandson falls outside these guidelines, be prepared for a very large bill from the pharmacist.
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