HERPES DRUG EFFECTIVE AGAINST CHICKEN POX

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, January 12, 1992                   TAG: 9201120231
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: D3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE                                LENGTH: Short
HERPES DRUG EFFECTIVE AGAINST CHICKEN POX
Medical researchers at the University of Virginia participated in a study that shows a drug often prescribed for herpes patients also can be effective against chicken pox.
The study conducted at nine medical centers found that acyclovir, an anti-viral drug, can safely reduce the duration and severity of the common childhood illness. No other specific treatment for chicken pox is available.
"The beneficial effects of acyclovir were studied during a two-year period in the Charlottesville area among otherwise healthy children with early chicken pox," said Dr. Gregory Hayden, professor of pediatrics and director of the study at UVa.
The drug was given to half of the participants, and the other half received a placebo. While the study showed acyclovir can be beneficial in dealing with common symptoms, it did not determine whether the drug could reduce the rare, serious complications of chicken pox.
Chicken pox is a viral disease wih mild symptoms of headache, fever, rash and loss of appetite. About 3.5 million U.S. cases are reported each year. - Associated Press

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB