Anti Viral

As the name suggests, anti-viral pills are medicines that you normally use to cure viral infections and disorders in humans. When you have a health issue and the doctors diagnose it as a viral infection or allergy, they recommend using this group of pills.

Of course, anti-viral means a group of medicines, in which there are many hundreds of medicines. Before using any random anti-viral medicine, you need to consult with a doctor and select a suitable drug type.

Treatment For Viral Infections And Disorders

Let us give you an idea about some common viral infections and disorders that require the use of an anti-viral pill. Here is a list-

• Ebola
• Flu
• Herpes
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis C
• HIV
• Mumps
• Chicken pox

The Job Of Antiviral Medicine In Your Body

Think of an anti-viral medicine as a means of giving your body an extra weapon to kill the virus and cure yourself from the infection.  As you may know, the primary weapon to defend your body against any form of infection is always your immune system.

Even though the immune system faces defeat initially when the infection sets in, it pairs up with antiviral medicines and their action to kill the virus and get you back to normal health.

So, how is the anti-viral medicine able to kill the virus and cure the infections? Here is how they do it in three different ways-

• Some medicines work by blocking the receptors on which the virus binds itself to enter cells in our body.
• Some medicines work in a very simple way, that is, to increase the action of our immune system to kill the virus.
• Lowering the virus load and the amount of active virus in the body.

The Common Method Of Using Antiviral Drugs

Antiviral medicines are used in different forms based on the type of brand and the proper method of intake.

You can get antiviral medicines in the market in the form of-

• Eye drops
• Swallowing medicines
• Inhaler powder
• Syrups, which are generally given to babies from 6 months to 6 or 8 years old
• Injections that are given directly into the intravascular muscles
• Topical ointments like creams or medicated gels

Benefits Of Using Antiviral Medicines

Antiviral medicines do two primary jobs in your body, which account for the benefits-

• They reduce the symptoms and signs of any infection or disorder.
• This helps to bring relief for the patient in terms of avoiding pain and curing inflammation.
• It kills the virus and cures the infection, which helps the person get back to normal life.
• One benefit you probably do not know is that they also stop the infection from spreading further and getting severe.
• This helps you to avoid other complications.

Do Antiviral Medicines Cure Viral Infections All The Time?

Well, even though we have been able to crack the code and develop a permanent remedy to many viral infections, some remain unknown. Some viral infections are chronic and cannot be cured.

Some of these viral infections are-

• Herpes
• HIV
• Hepatitis

However, the good thing is that even though we have not been able to find a permanent remedy, there are medicines that can still help.

Medicines for such non-curable disorders help you to reduce symptoms and contain the issue so that it does not spread to other parts of the body and become severe.  Even some antiviral medicines can make the virus latent or dormant to partially cure the infection or disorder.

Possible Side Effects Of Using Antiviral Medicines

Even though there are some good benefits, there is also a chance of getting side effects from using antiviral medicines.

Different reasons contribute to this, like-

• Negligence and taking an overdose
• Interaction with other medicines
• Allergic reactions for the patient

Any of these reasons can cause side effects while using antiviral pills.

Now, let us give you an idea about some issues that can occur in the form of side effects when you are taking these pills. Here is a list given by the FDA after conducting patient reviews and studies-

• Cough
• Dry mouth
• Diarrhoea
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Insomnia
• Pain in the joints
• Muscle cramps
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Skin rashes
• Weight loss
• Slight fever
• Numb feeling in the palms

In case these side effects occur, we highly recommend that you contact your doctor. However, if the doctors recommend you continue with the dose, do not be afraid.

When To See A Doctor For Curing Viral Infections?

We have given a list of symptoms possible with viral disorders earlier in this article. Make sure to follow this list and find out if any of these signs occur in your body and other organs. In case you have any doubts, visit the doctors.

When you get a clear symptom, do not wait any longer to contact the doctors. The more you delay, the chances are that the viral infection will get severe, and then it will be harder to cure.

Using Antiviral Medications

First, find out the type of medicine, such as ointment, swallowing pills, or injections, which the doctors have recommended.

Buy the same brand and dose from any pharmacy.

Keep using the dose until the defined tenure as per your prescription without changing the strength of the medicine or the frequency of intake.

During this time, keep visiting the doctors to inform them about your health and if you are having any side effects.

A Word Of Caution Before Using Antiviral Medicines

• Before using antiviral medicines, tell the doctors about your health and if you have other health issues.
• Inform the doctors if you have any other viral or even bacterial, or fungal infections, and take medicines for them.
• Avoid the use of alcohol and narcotic drugs with antiviral medicines because most will interact and cause side effects.

Final Thoughts

Therefore, we hope that now you have a foundation of antiviral medicines and the important information. In case you already have signs of viral infection or disorder already visit your doctor and find out a suitable remedy for it, along with informing the doctors what we have told you in the above sections.