Medications help to fight herpes

Q. I am 23 years old, and I just learned I have herpes. I feel like my life is over. I fear no one will ever want to date me again.

I’m not promiscuous at all. It took only one person for me to be infected. I am sinking into depression just thinking about it.

I understand that people with herpes may live perfectly normal, happy lives and even have kids, but the fear exists nonetheless. Is there any treatment that really works for this condition?

A. Genital herpes is extremely common, affecting one person in five in the U.S. It also is quite treatable. One woman wrote: “I had horrible outbreaks at first. They were a constant reminder of what I considered to be a huge mistake in judgment.

“It wasn’t until my doctor prescribed Valtrex that things turned around for me. It shortened the duration and, if I took it soon enough, the severity. When I met my husband, I started taking it daily for suppression.

“I’ve been married for 14 years now to a wonderful man who still doesn’t have it, probably because I take Valtrex every day and abstain from sex if I have an outbreak. I stay healthy and try to limit stress. I get outbreaks maybe twice a year, and they are only an annoyance.”

There are three medications used to fight the herpes virus: Famvir (famciclovir), Valtrex (valacyclovir) and Zovirax (acyclovir). For occasional outbreaks, one of these prescription drugs should be taken at the earliest sign. People who have frequent outbreaks may be able to prevent them by taking one of these antiviral drugs daily.

Although the virus can be transmitted even when there are no visible sores, daily use of an antiviral may reduce the risk. Conscientious use of condoms also can be helpful.

Q. I have heartburn, and I have been on Nexium for several years. Before Nexium, I took Tagamet, Zantac and Prilosec, in that order.

I have tried to get off this medicine several times, and I have been unsuccessful due to the symptoms’ returning. I saw on the news recently that people on Nexium might be at higher risk for hip fractures. This has me worried.

Will I have to keep taking some form of GERD medication the rest of my life? Or can you recommend some kind of herbal or alternative treatment instead?

A. Millions of people take acid-suppressing drugs such as Nexium, Prevacid or Prilosec for heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Though these drugs often are very helpful, there is growing concern that they may have unexpected side effects over the long term.

Research has linked such drugs to an increased risk of fractures (Osteoporosis International, December 2009), pneumonia (Annals of Internal Medicine, Sept. 16, 2008) and intestinal infection (American Journal of Gastroenterology, September 2007). The drugs also can be hard to discontinue (Gastroenterology, July 2009).

We are sending you our brand-new Guide to Digestive Disorders with tips on quitting acid- suppressing drugs and natural solutions for heartburn symptoms. Anyone who would like a copy, please send $3 in check or money order with a long (No. 10), stamped (61 cents), self-addressed envelope to: Graedons’ People’s Pharmacy, No. G-3, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027. It also can be downloaded for $2 from our Web site: www.peoplespharmacy.com.

You should, of course, check with your physician before attempting to stop Nexium. Many people report less reflux with a low-carb diet, persimmon- ginger tea, over-the-counter antacids, mustard or chewing gum.

XIn their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of The Vindicator or e-mail them via their Web site: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com. Their newest book is “Favorite Foods From The People’s Pharmacy: Mother Nature’s Medicine.”

2009 King Features Syndicate Inc.