Genital Herpes & Ross River fever
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 herpes?
Zovirax (aciclovir) was the first 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 term 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.
My daughter’s best friend has Ross River fever. I am worried that she could catch it too. What is this fever, and how do you catch it?
Ross River fever is caused by a virus-like germ that attacks the connective tissue of the body. It is transmitted from one person to the next by mosquitoes. When the mosquito bites an infected person, the germ enters the mosquito with the blood, and is injected back into the next person the mosquito bites, infecting them also.
The patient suffers from fevers, muscle aches, arthritis and headaches, and is very tired. It may last for a couple of weeks or a couple of months. There is no cure available. The only form of prevention is the liberal use of insect repellents, screening houses and long sleeves.
The disease is more common in north Queensland and the Northern Territory, but may occur anywhere in Australia that mosquitoes occur.