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Viral Infection: Treatment, Procedure, Cost and Side Effects

Last Updated: Sep 04, 2019

What is Viral Infection?

The viral infection is often termed to be a microbial or germ attack, and also commonly named as a flu. These harmful virus rapidly increase inside the body.

How is the Viral Infection treatment done?

For most of the viral infections, the treatments can only help with the symptoms. While the treatment does take some time, it generally affects the immune system, and the internal body plays the major role to fight against the virus from the body. The antibiotics generally do not work for the viral infections, though there are several types of antiviral medicines available to treat some of the viral infections in human. Doctors generally prescribe some tests like blood test at the initial stage to determine the type of virus and continues with the following procedures.

Most of the viruses clear up on their own within a week to 10 days, but in most of the cases, the doctor will suggest you the best of the medicines available to manage the situation, but will differ from one infection to another, and the medications will depend on the type of virus you are having, like if you are suffering from common cold , the doctor will prescribe you a decongestant.

The viruses at times have a very severe effect on some of the patients and hence the procedure of the treatment changes accordingly. The doctor suggests extra caution, and the patient should be taken care of properly, like elderly people or those who are already being treated for a separate disease or illness.

Patients should consult with a doctor, which will help identify to potential problems and will put your mind at rest. Even if you are generally healthy, if the symptoms are not going away for more than two weeks, or become particularly intense, you should speak to a doctor as soon as possible to rule out anything more serious.

Who is eligible for the treatment?

The Viral Infection is a very common ailment which affects thousands people around the globe. The disease can be caused by different types of virus and can affect various parts of a human body.

For most of the viral infections, the treatments will only help with the reduction of symptoms, but you need to wait for your immune system to fight against the virus. Antibiotics generally do not work for most of the viral infections.

There are antiviral medicines available in the market to treat some of the viral infections, though Vaccines can pre-dominantly helps you to fight against viral attacks and can prevent you from getting many of the common viral diseases.

There are several medications which work directly on the viruses, but only works to inhibit the production of such virus particles.

Some antiviral medicines interfere with the production of the viral DNA and some medicines prevent viruses from entering the host cells.

In general the antiviral medications are most effective if they are taken early during the disease on in the course of an initial viral infection or if there is a recurrent outbreak. There are different kinds of antiviral medications widely available in the market which can be used to treat chickenpox, shingles, herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1), herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2), HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, influenza such other diseases.

Most of the viral infections resolve on their own without any treatment. So the treatment of any viral infection primarily focuses on the symptom relief, and not fighting the virus, so the treatment for any specific viral infection varies from one another.

Who is not eligible for the treatment?

A viral infection is a general proliferation of a virus which multiplies inside the body. There is no restriction regarding as far the treatment of the problem is concerned. Any person with a working immune system can have his/her viral infection treated.

Viruses cannot reproduce without the assistance of a host, so if anybody has a working immune system which can stop the genetic material from entering into the cells and can stop the virus from hijacking the cell's internal machinery to multiply more virus particles in a viral infection.

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Are there any side effects?

There is no restriction regarding the treatment of the problem is concerned. Any person with a working immune system can have his/her viral infection treated.

What are the post-treatment guidelines?

Symptoms of a viral infection generally occur as a result of cell damage in the body which results in tissue destruction and is directly associated to immune response. The side effects can include nausea with or without vomiting, can cause diarrhoea, low-grade fever accompanied by abdominal pain, but may vary from one sort of viral infection to another.

Some viral attacks may cause irritation and the skin can also be infected by a viral infection such as the common wart or chicken pox.

How long does it take to recover?

With an active viral infection it infects the other cells and hence it affects the whole system. As the immune system goes through a tough phase of viral damage, it is suggested to give the body a few days of rest.

Acute viral infections are short lived, and the chronic infections can last for weeks, months. The medications and treatment differ from one viral attack to another, but generally it is recommended to rest for a few days post the treatment.

Most of the viruses cause disease, and attack cells in the liver, respiratory system, or blood, and as a result the bodily functions are disturbed. After treatment it is better to follow a proper routine diet and exercise for the body to function properly and steadily.

What is the price of the treatment in India?

The acute viral infections are generally short lived and typically observed with pathogens such as influenza virus and rhinovirus, and thus the recovery period is less.

On the other hand, the Chronic viral infections can last for weeks, months, or a lifetime, so the recovery time increases. Among the common chronic diseases it include arthritis, asthma, cancer, COPD, diabetes and some other dangerous viral diseases such as hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS.

Are the results of the treatment permanent?

The price of treatment of a particular viral infection in India will vary from one place to another, and majorly depends on the type of infection. In metropolitan cities the price of treatment is relatiWho is eligible for the treatment? (When is the treatment done?)vely high than in small towns or cities of India.

For common viral infections, like Influenza the price range can be as little as Rs. 100, but may vary. On the other hand the price can go up to a high as a few lakhs of rupees in some chronic viral infections such as AIDS or Hepatitis C. The cost of treatment will primarily depends upon the type of viral infection.

What are the alternatives to the treatment?

Our bodies are designed to constantly dispel and fight against pathogens, but a weakened immune system or chronic fatigue and physical and emotional stress can often lead to recurrent appearance of viral infections. These can include attacks of common cold, flu, bronchitis, cold sores, genital warts and genital herpes, but if a proper routine and hygiene can be maintained, the chances of a viral attack can be minimized.

Safety: Condition

Effectiveness: High

Timeliness: Medium

Relative Risk: Medium

Side Effects: Low

Time For Recovery: Medium

Price Range: Rs. 30 - Rs. 100000

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Written ByDr. Goma Bali Bajaj Diploma in geriatric,MBBS,MEM,Diploma In GeriatricGeneral Physician
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