A virus is a small, infectious organism that invades a cell to replicate (reproduce). Once the virus is in the body it will attach to a cell, enter it, and release its genetic material to produce new viruses. Viruses are spread through the air, through direct contact such as food, water or a handshake and through animal bites or parasites. Viral diseases include influenza, mononucleosis, varicella, and viral hemorrhagic fever.
Influenza or "flu" is a viral infection of the lungs and airways that causes symptoms such as fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough, headache, muscle aches, and a feeling of illness. There are two types of influenza virus (type A and type B); however, within these types there are many different strains of the virus, which change each year. Influenza is spread by inhaling droplets that have been sneezed or coughed out by an infected person, or by having direct contact with an infected person's secretions.
Commonly Prescribed (On-Label) Drugs: Amantadine, Oseltamivir, Rimantadine
Off-Label Prescription Drug Breakthrough Option: Ribavirin
Influenza or "flu" occurs in the lungs and airways and causes symptoms of fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough, headache, muscle aches, and a feeling of illness. There are several vaccines available as prevention against the influenza; however, as they contain live virus, they should not be given to those with weak immune systems or to pregnant women. In such cases, other treatment options are available.
Commonly Prescribed (On-Label) Drugs: Amantadine, oseltamivir, and rimantadine
Off-Label Prescription Drug Breakthrough Option: Zanamivir
Infectious mononucleosis is a syndrome caused by the Epstein Barr virus (a member of the herpes virus family), which is very common in children and adolescents. Symptoms of infectious mononucleosis include fever, sore throat, and swollen lymph glands. Transmission of the virus involves intimate contact with saliva of an infected person. Symptoms generally appear within four to six weeks after infection and include upper airway obstruction, splenic rupture, fatigue, and a number of other relatively rare manifestations.
Commonly Prescribed (On-Label) Drugs: None
Off-Label Prescription Drugs Breakthrough Options: Acyclovir, Immune Globulin IV, Prednisone
Varicella (also known as chickenpox) is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, a member of the human herpes virus. Varicella is a common and highly contagious virus and affects nearly all susceptible children before adolescence. The varicella virus enters through the respiratory system and colonizes the upper respiratory tract; it is characterized by a red, itchy rash that develops into blisters on the skin all over the body. Varicella’s infectious period begins two days before skin lesions appear and ends when the lesions crust, usually five days later. A severe form of chicken pox involves a bacterial infection on the skin around the blisters, bones, lungs, joints, and blood.
Commonly Prescribed (On-Label) Drugs: Acyclovir
Off-Label Prescription Drugs Breakthrough Options: Dexamethasone, Tacrolimus
Viral hemorrhagic fever consists of a diverse group of infections from various types of viruses (Arenaviridae and Filoviridae viral families). Viral hemorrhagic fever can cause mild illnesses, although many of these viruses are severe, often life-threatening in nature. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, dizziness, muscle weakness, and exhaustion; in severe illness, symptoms can include bleeding under the skin, in internal organs, or from the mouth, ears, and eyes. Viruses typically live in animals and can be spread by contact with urine, feces, or saliva from infected animals (rats) or from insect bites (ticks). In some instances, the virus can be contracted from the human secretions.
Commonly Prescribed (On-Label) Drugs: None
Off-Label Prescription Drug Breakthrough Option: Ribavirin
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