Why Take Valacyclovir
Herpes is a viral infection that is transmitted primarily through sexual interaction and can also be transferred from one patient to another person through the same action. It is caused by the viruses under the Herpesviridae family. There are different herpetic infection and among would be herpes labialis that attacks the mouth portion or any abraded skin.
- Herpes genitalis which attacks the genital’s outer surface
- Herpetic whitlow that can be found on the thumbs and fingers
- Herpes gladiatorium that are most common for athletes that are into contact sports
- Herpetic keratoconjunctivities wherein the eyes are affected
- Herpesviral encephalitis that is an infection wherein the virus attacks inside the brain and is known to be a viral infection that started on the face
- Herpesviral meningitis, also a common herpetic infection
- Neonatal herpes simplex wherein pregnant women who have the herpetic infection can possibly transmit the disease to their babies
- Herpetic sycosis wherein the virus attacks the hair follicle, and the exzema herpeticum is an infection wherein the virus attacks throughout the exzematous areas.
The viral infection can cause physical discomfort as well as psychological anxiety aside from the embarrassment. As of now, there is no treatment invented yet to cure herpes. However, medical researches have paved for the development of antiviral medications that can minimize the adverse effects of the herpetic infection. So why take this medication? Administration of antivirals can actually shorten the period of the outbreaks and the frequency of the outbreak.
The first antiviral product that was released out in the market to cure herpes was valacylclovir. It exhibited positively against the herpes virus-infected cells. It is a protein compound that requires the presence of other enzymes such as thymidine kinase followed by cellular kinases to be activated. The product thereafter is acyclovir triphosphate which limits the virus through competition with deoxyguanosine triphosphate, and causes prevention of the elongation of the viral DNA. Valacylclovir was proven therefore as an effective antiviral against the herpes virus. However, it has has poor oral bioavailability and requires intravenous administration for severe manifestations of herpes infections such as neonatal herpes and herpes encephalitis. This paved for the development of the second degree antivirals and in this case, valacyclovir or acylclovir. Valacyclovir still contains acyclovir and does not have any antiviral activity until it is biotransformed into acyclovir and can only be done so when it reaches the gastrointestinal tract.
Why take this drug?
Studies were conducted wherein the valacy clovir was administered to patients and they exhibited that there was a substantial decrease in the transfer of the HSV-2 virus between partners that are susceptible to the infection and a reduction of the occurrence of the HSV-2 virus for both susceptible partners when the infected person was administered with the antiviral for a period of eight months. Of course, with the practice of a protected and safe sex with the use of condoms, the transmission of the genital herpetic infection was also greatly reduced. Frequent administration of valacyclovir can reduce greatly not just the outbreak of the infection but may also minimize the risks for the partner as well as positively reduce the viral count among patients and can be the best reason why take this medication religiously.
