AboutNigel Simmons Expertise I am happy to answer general questions on medicines and hospital care. If possible, please use approved / chemical names rather than brands which are not internationally recognised.
Like all health professionals I am bound by a duty of care which prevents me giving detailed information about medication or treatment of people other than the questioner.
I will endeavour to help wherever possible or point towards more appropriate advice. If however your question crosses too far into patient confidentiality, I hope you will understand why I cannot answer your question.
Consider.. would you want me to discuss your care with a friend or relative without your knowledge?
Experience Registered as a UK pharmacist in 1982 and have worked in a number of hospital and health management posts around the UK. Formerly Chief Pharmacist for a 440 bed general hospital in Cambridgeshire.
Past/Present clients Previously Sysop on CompuServe UK Professionals forum.
My mother had been exposed to varicella for 3 days now. The doctor declined to give her vaccine. Can she take Zovirax 400mg three times a day for seven days? What will be the effect?
What else can she do aside from drinking lots of fluids, taking vit. c, eating healthy foods to avoid acquiring varicella? Or is it already too late? If so, what is the best thing to do?
Thank you very much.
Answer Melojane
This question is pushing my area of knowledge to the limit. I suspect the doctor felt that vaccination was inappropriate as your mother had already been exposed and it may potentiate a more serious reaction. Normally vaccination is given elecetively before any risk. Active vaccination in cases of mass infection or risk is a different matter and approaches the issue from a population benefit rather than an individual's.
Zovirax may be apperopriate in some cases, but for someone who is otherwise healthy and has limited direct contact with an active infection, it is probably more than necessary. I would however recommend considering early treatment if any symptoms develop.
In the meantime, a healthy diet and good personal and hand hygeine will reduce the risks of transmission. So, regular hand washing, clean surfaces etc. will all help.
