According to statistics, about 90% of the world's population are carriers of herpes infection. After entering the body, the virus can be in it for a long time and not manifest itself in any way. The disease begins to develop only with a strong decrease in immunity. That is why immunomodulators for herpes are used so often.
Indications
It is worth saying that not every person suffering from herpes needs immunomodulating drugs . If the decrease in protective forces was temporary (for example, due to hypothermia or SARS), then the body itself will cope with the infection. It is enough for these patients to lubricate the rashes with antiviral ointments and gels.
However, there are patients for whom correction of the immune system is simply necessary. Their body is overly suppressed and cannot independently overcome the virus.
Most often, this condition is encountered by patients who:
- take "heavy" medications for a long time;
- suffer from serious chronic pathologies of internal organs;
- often subjected to stress, do not have a good rest;
- have bad habits;
- follow strict diets, eat unbalanced and monotonous.
In this case, herpes often recurs, is characterized by violent symptoms and does not last long. Moreover, each time the situation is getting worse. It is in these cases that it is necessary to take immunomodulators for herpes.
This measure may also be required by women who are planning a pregnancy and at the same time are carriers of herpes infection. The fact is that in the process of carrying a baby, the patient's body will become weaker, which can lead to the activation of the virus. And this, in turn, will negatively affect the development of the embryo (especially true if genital herpes).
Terms of use
Immunomodulators for herpes are recommended to begin to be used with antiviral drugs, starting from the first day of the disease. It is very important that the patient donate blood for analysis throughout the course of therapy to assess its immunological characteristics. In this way, serious complications can be avoided.
You should not hope that the preparations (immunomodulators) of herpes will be eliminated once and for all. This is impossible to achieve, even if you use the newest and most expensive drugs. Once settled in the nerve ganglia of a person once, the virus remains there forever. With the help of drugs, it can only be entered into an inactive, "sleeping" state, but not expelled.
All immunomodulators can be divided into plant and synthetic.
The first to include "Immunal" and "Epigen sex."
If we talk about synthetic immunomodulators for herpes, their list will be as follows:
- Amiksin;
- "Isoprinosine";
- Grippferon;
- "Genferon";
- Neovir.
Immunal
This is an immunomodulator of plant origin, the main active ingredient of which is echinacea purpurea juice, collected during its flowering period.
Alkamides, polysaccharides and caffeic acid derivatives are present in this plant. They stimulate nonspecific immunity and thereby enhance the body's defenses.
After taking the medicine in the body, the number of macrophages and granulocytes increases sharply, cytokines are released, and the activity of many immune cells increases. More recently, scientists also found that echinacea not only improves the immune system, but also has an antiviral effect against influenza and herpes.
Taking the medicine does not depend on the time of eating food. Drink it with plenty of water. To find out the necessary dosage of the medicine and how to use it, it is recommended to consult a qualified doctor.
Immunal is contraindicated in children whose age has not reached 6 years. The full analogue is "Echinacea VILAR".
Amiksin
Amiksin is one of the strongest interferon inducers that currently exist. Endogenous interferon has a good antiviral effect. The medicine is used not only in the treatment of herpes, but also with hepatitis, SARS.
The active substance is tilorone. The drug is available in the form of tablets. However, there are two forms of medication: for adults and for children. Their difference is only in dosage.
A tangible effect after taking the medicine can be noticed after 4-24 hours. In the processing of Amiksin, the organs of the gastrointestinal tract, liver and blood are involved.
The immunomodulator for herpes on the lips and body is contraindicated in pregnant and breast-feeding women, as well as children under 7 years of age. Amiksin is compatible with antiviral drugs. Its side effects include chills, minor digestive disorders and allergies.
"Isoprinosine"
"Isoprinosine" is an effective immunomodulator against herpes and also an adaptogen, an antiviral drug. Its main active ingredient is inosine parabex.
The drug is not recommended to be taken during pregnancy planning, during gestation and in breast-feeding women. Isoprinosine is incompatible with alcohol, as it is metabolized in the liver. Failure to comply with this rule may lead to the fact that the body may not withstand such a strong toxic effect on it.
The cheaper analogue of Isoprinosine is Groprinosin of Russian manufacture.
Grippferon
This is a drug that has an anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effect on the body. In addition, it has a pronounced antiviral effect.
The main active ingredient of the drug is interferon alfa-2b. In 1 ml of funds it contains about 10,000 IU. For the treatment of herpes, nasal drops or spray are used.
Contraindication to the drug is individual intolerance to additional components of the drug. "Grippferon" - the best immunomodulator for herpes in pregnant and lactating women, as well as children (including babies).
So that the medicine does not lose its healing properties too quickly, it must be stored at a temperature of +2 to +8 ° C. Shelf life 2 years.
"Genferon"
This is a drug that has antibacterial, antiviral, as well as local and systemic immunostimulating effects. It includes:
- alpha-2 interferon - activates the cellular parts of the immune system, normalizes the level of IgA;
- anestezin - eliminates discomfort in the form of pain, burning, itching;
- taurine - removes toxic substances, stimulates the regeneration of damaged tissues.
A contraindication to the drug is the individual intolerance to any of the components, the presence of allergic reactions or autoimmune diseases in the acute phase.
Before the 12th week of pregnancy, the possibility of using the medicine is determined by assessing the potential risk to the health of the child and the pregnant woman. To enhance the effect of Genferon, patients are recommended to use vitamins E and C.
The drug is available in the form of vaginal suppositories, so it is considered an ideal tool for the treatment of genital herpes. Side effects include chills, fever, anorexia, migraine, and itching.
To completely eliminate the disease, a woman should drive 1 suppository 2 times a day (morning and evening after hygiene measures). The course of treatment of herpes with an immunomodulator (on average) is 10 days.
Neovir
This is a drug with immunomodulating and antiviral effects at the same time.
It is available in two forms: in tablets for oral administration and in the form of a solution for intramuscular administration. In the latter case, patients often complain of discomfort when using the medicine. Therefore, "Neovir" is recommended to be diluted with "Novocaine".
The drug is contraindicated for people with individual intolerance to the components of the drug, patients with severe renal failure and autoimmune diseases.
In elderly patients, treatment with "Neovir" should be carried out very carefully, constantly monitor the body's response to the drug. Pregnant and lactating women, as well as children, the drug is strictly contraindicated.
Side effects include fever and allergies. The course of treatment, as a rule, lasts 3-7 days, however, only the attending physician can name the exact time after a thorough examination of the patient.
"Epigen sex"
This is an immunomodulatory and antiviral herbal medicine. The main active ingredient is licorice root extract. The tool is available in the form of a spray and gel, which must be used externally.
In addition to its basic properties, Epigen sex is able to eliminate itching and pain, as well as relieve inflammation.
Despite the fact that you do not need to take the medicine inside, self-medication with its help is not recommended for pregnant and breast-feeding women. Before using the drug in this case, it is very important to consult a doctor.
"Epigen" enhances immunity and improves the microflora of the genitals. Thus, the tool is an excellent prevention of relapse in the future. With herpes, an immunomodulator must be applied to the genitals 5-6 times a day for 6-10 days.
The best immunomodulator
In conclusion, it is worth saying that there is no one universal immunomodulator for the elimination of herpes. For each patient, there is an ideal drug. To select it, you need to perform an immunogram and take into account the individual characteristics of the patient's body.
It is very important that a qualified person do this. He knows exactly what immunomodulators are on the market. A list of herpes medications that are ideal for the patient, he will give out after consultation. If you do not adhere to this advice and engage in amateur activity, then a person may experience a serious malfunction in the immune system.