HERPES

The Herpes Meds just Stop Working

Dear Dr. Tom:

I was diagnosed almost 2 years ago with herpes. My doctor first gave me Zovirax, which worked for about a year. Then I started to see ads for Valtrex and asked about that. That cleared up one outbreak. But then had no effect. I seem to have one outbreak after another, the last time I can remember not having any discharge at all was last fall. I’m tired of taking meds. They come to a point where they just stop working. Do you have any other suggestions?

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Dr. Tom’s Response:

Dear Anonymous:

We must be careful not to engage in the prescription of medications via the net. The most recent (1998) guidelines for treatment of STDs from the U.S. Dept. Of Health and Human Services includes Acyclovir, Famciclovir and Valacyclovir regimens for herpetic infections. You are taking the appropriate steps by staying in contact with your physician, and perhaps s/he may not have consulted this publication. Refer to MMWR, Jan 23, 1998/vol 47/No. RR-1. Medical and hospital libraries usually have it, or your physician may obtain a copy by calling the Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, Ga.. This is a serious problem for you, so do not feel that you are overstepping by discussing newer treatment with your doctor.

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