Chickenpox vaccine contains attenuated live strains of herpes virus type 3 Herpes type 3 - causes chicken pox and shingles   - Varicella zoster virus, which causes chickenpox. The Russian pharmaceutical market there are two vaccines, good quality which does not leave any doubt. This vaccine Okavaks and Varilriks.

Chickenpox vaccine Okavaks

Okavaks - a vaccine against chickenpox, which produces Research Foundation for Infectious Diseases of Osaka University (Japan). It is produced as a lyophilisate (substance dried in a special way) for the preparation of a solution for subcutaneous injection (one dose of the vaccine - 0, 5 mL) which contains live attenuated varicella zoster virus Oka strain. Included is also a solvent for the preparation of the solution.

After the introduction of the vaccine activates specific humoral and cellular immunity, suppresses the replication of the virus varicella zoster, which prevents the development of disease. Sometimes the disease is still developing, but mild. Immunity after vaccination persists for many years.

The vaccine is administered for the prevention Okavaks disease chickenpox children after a year, adolescents and adults. Highly recommended the vaccine to people with weakened immune systems Immunity - types and characteristics in children in adults And a closed collectives (eg, the soldiers in the barracks). Recommended vaccinations are also women who are planning a pregnancy, but had not previously had chickenpox.

Vaccine and may be used for emergency prevention of chickenpox in the case where after exposure was not more than 72 hours. Emergency vaccination against chickenpox is considered effective as antibodies to infectious agents are starting to be produced immediately after vaccine administration (in the whole process of development of antibodies Antibodies - "soldiers' immunity   It lasts about 1, 5 months).

Okavaks administered once subcutaneously in the upper third of the arm.

Contraindication to vaccination Okavaks are hypersensitivity, pregnancy, and expressed an immunity (immunodeficiency). Temporary contraindications to vaccination are fever, acute respiratory viral infection (depending on severity of the disease after it has to go from 2 to 4 weeks), meningitis and mentingoentsefality (after recovery should be at least six months), recurrence of any chronic disease (to remission).

The vaccine is administered with caution to patients with chronic diseases of the cardiovascular system, kidneys, liver, blood diseases Diseases of the blood - always seriously As well as people prone to seizures and allergic reactions.

Chickenpox vaccine Varilriks

The chickenpox vaccine Varilriks produces pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline (Belgium). The vaccine also contains the varicella zoster virus, eye strain and produced as a lyophilisate for the preparation of a solution for subcutaneous administration in the form of powder or amorphous mass with the application of solvent (water for injection). One dose of the vaccine ready for use is 0 5 ml.

After the introduction of a vaccine specific immunity to varicella develops in 98% of children from one year to 12 years and lasts for at least seven years. Adolescents aged 13 after double vaccination developed specific immunity at all, without exception, and held at least a year. Specific post-vaccination immunity allows or completely prevent chickenpox disease after contact with sick or reduce almost to zero the risk of severe infection.

Varilriks The vaccine is administered subcutaneously once or twice, depending on the age: for children from one year to 13 years - single, older than 13 years - twice with an interval of 1, 5-2, 5 months.

Indications and contraindications for the vaccine Varilriks are the same as for the vaccine Okavaks.

Vaccination against chickenpox - is it worth doing?

Expert opinions on this matter differ. Some believe that vaccination should be carried out for all children, as well as women, people who have had chickenpox are not planning a pregnancy (conception when it should occur no earlier than 3 months after vaccination) and other adults at risk.

But many pediatricians are inclined to believe that children under 12 years old have had better chicken pox, which occurs in this age of easy. But it is a controversial statement, since according to statistics one in 10 patients (including children under 12) chickenpox runs hard, with complications.

Therefore, the issue of vaccination against chickenpox today decided to solve individually, depending on the general condition of the child, the state of his immunity and the presence of a child of certain diseases and conditions.

Vaccination against chickenpox can prevent the disease or significantly reduce the risk of severe infection.

Galina Romanenko

Valtrex - it's quite effective antiviral drug. It is mainly used in diseases caused by herpes simplex virus types. Despite the fact that the body Valtrex converted to acyclovir Acyclovir - as it is safe? , Its effectiveness is much greater than that of the drug.

The mechanism of action of Valtrex

Valtrex (active substance - valacyclovir hydrochloride) is an antiviral drug of second generation (the first generation drugs of this series is acyclovir). He produced tablets of 556 ml of 10 or 42 pieces. packaged.

As you know, all the viruses multiply in human cells. Valtrex mechanism of action is based on the fact that the drug in the body is converted by enzymes first into the neutral acyclovir, and then as a result of biochemical reactions from a neutral acyclovir into active acyclovir triphosphate. Last action suppresses enzyme involved in the synthesis of viral DNA integrates into the DNA and blocked virus replication in human cells. In this initial stage of the transformation of the inactive to the active acyclovir is influenced by enzymes secreted by the virus. This makes the specificity of Valtrex - it is valid only for certain viruses.

Sensitivity to show Valtrex herpes simplex virus Herpes simplex - in fact, not so simple   I and II, IV herpesviruses (Epstein-Barr virus), and type VI, herpes virus which causes chickenpox and shingles Ost Ringworm - not only infectious disease Cytomegalovirus Cytomegalovirus - what is its danger? .

When administered Valtrex is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream, reaching maximum concentration after 1, 5 hours. Excreted in the urine and feces.

Indications and contraindications

Indications for use of Valtrex are:

• treatment and prevention of recurrence of herpes infections of the skin and mucous membranes caused by the herpes simplex viruses type I and II, including the labial (on the lips) and genital (genital) herpes; At the same time, the sooner after the onset of disease recurrence appointed Valtrex, so it is more efficient;
• to prevent contamination of the sexual partner in combination with barrier methods of contraception (e.g., condom);
• the treatment of herpes zoster (Valtrex "makes" the virus back into a permanent "home" - the nerve ganglia, which contributes to the rapid removal of pain), and varicella in adults;
• prevention of diseases caused by cytomegalovirus in patients with a significant reduction of immunity (e.g., AIDS, organ transplantation and bone marrow, radiotherapy and chemotherapy of cancer patients and so forth).

Valtrex is contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity of the patient to its components and under the age of 12 years. During pregnancy, Valtrex appointed in exceptional cases, for health reasons. Acyclovir is excreted in mother's milk, so if Valtrex is assigned to a nursing mother, it is desirable for the time to interrupt breastfeeding.

If abnormal liver function or kidney disease, severe course of AIDS Valtrex should be used with caution. So, when kidney function decreases the dose of Valtrex. Elderly patients without pathology of the kidney usually prescribed dose of Valtrex, but it is recommended to drink more fluids.

Side effect

In most cases, Valtrex is well tolerated. But sometimes it may cause side effects. It is a headache, dizziness, impairment of consciousness up to coma, hallucinations, impaired memory, agitation, tremors in the limbs, gait disturbance, pronunciation of sounds and words, convulsive readiness, disorders of the brain. The most common side effects observed in patients with impaired renal function.

Sometimes, while taking Valtrex appear nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal discomfort, transient liver function abnormalities. Much less can develop changes in the blood: reducing the number of leukocytes and platelets, which can lead to violations of the immune system and increased bleeding. Very rarely there may be respiratory failure, and kidney function - these side effects are more likely to occur in patients who received high-dose Valtrex and long.

Quite often there are various manifestations of allergies, including urticaria, angioedema, increased sensitivity to light.

Overdose Valtrex is strengthening all of its side effects. These patients are usually sent to a hospital to clarify the extent of toxic effects on the body. In some cases, hemodialysis - cleansing the blood of toxic substances.

Galina Romanenko