spectrum antifungals are effective in treating spe-
cific fungal infections.
Topical preparations may be lotions, creams,
ointments, sprays, powders, or suppositories. Oral
preparations may be tablets and liquids to swal-
low. Oral preparations to treat fungal infections
involving the MOUTH (THRUSH) may be liquids to
swish around the mouth or tablets (troche or
lozenge) to allow to dissolve in the mouth. A vari-
ety of topical antifungal medications is available as
over-the-counter products that do not require a
doctor’s prescription. These products are to treat
common fungal and yeast infections such as vagi-
nal CANDIDIASIS and athlete’s foot and jock itch
(TINEA INFECTIONS).
COMMON ANTIFUNGAL MEDICATIONS
ciclopirox clioquinol
clotrimazole fluconazole
flucytosine griseofulvin
itraconazole ketoconazole
miconazole naftifine
nystatin oxiconazole
terbinafine tolnaftate
Topical antifungal preparations may cause irri-
tation to the SKINor mucous membranes, though
this is uncommon. Systemic antifungal medica-
tions may interact with other medications and
have possible side effects that vary with the DRUG.
It is important to tell the doctor or pharmacist of
all health conditions and medications taken to
treat them, including OVER-THE-COUNTER (OTC)
DRUGSand herbal products, to minimize the risk
for ADVERSE REACTIONand DRUG INTERACTION.
See also ANTIBIOTIC MEDICATIONS; ANTIVIRAL MED-
ICATIONS; FUNGUS; INFECTION.
antiviral medications Medications to shorten the
course and lessen the severity of illness due to viral
INFECTIONas well as reduce viral shedding to mini-
mize contagiousness. Some antiviral medications
are able to prevent viral infection from developing
after exposure to the VIRUS. Antiviral medications
mark a fine line because they must destroy viruses
without damaging the cells that host them. Most
antiviral medications accomplish such a task by
substituting inactive molecules for key enzyme
molecules in the virus’s efforts to replicate.
Antiviral medications are the mainstay of ther-
apy for HIV/AIDS. Doctors also use antiviral medica-
tions to treat viral infections such as CHICKENPOX,
HERPES SIMPLEX, HERPES ZOSTER (shingles), GENITAL
HERPES, INFLUENZA, and chronic HEPATITISB. Antivi-
ral medications have numerous and sometimes
serious side effects that vary with the medication.
It is important for the doctor to know all med-
ications a person takes, including OVER-THE-
COUNTER(OTC) DRUGSand herbal remedies, to mini-
mize the risk for ADVERSE REACTION and DRUG
INTERACTION.COMMON ANTIVIRAL MEDICATIONS
acyclovir adefovir
alpha-interferon amantadine
famciclovir foscarnet
lamivudine oseltamivir
penciclovir ribavirin
rimantadine valacyclovir
zanamivirSee also PREVENTIVE HEALTH CARE AND IMMUNIZA-
TION; VACCINE.anthrax An illness resulting from INFECTIONwith
the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Anthrax is a natu-
rally occurring infection among wild and domestic
livestock (such as cows, sheep, goats, and ante-
lope). Anthrax is rare in people in the United
States, though more common in people who live,
work, or travel to countries where anthrax is
more common in livestock. The BACTERIA can
cause infection in people who are exposed to sick
animals, such as workers on farms and in slaugh-
terhouses. Ranchers and farmers in the United
States vaccinate their livestock against anthrax.
An anthrax VACCINEis also available for people.Symptoms and Diagnostic Path
Symptoms of anthrax depend on the form of ill-
ness. Anthrax in people can take three forms:- Cutaneous anthrax, which accounts for 95 per-
cent of human anthrax infections, results when
B. anthracisenters an opening in the SKIN, such
as a small scratch, and causes ulcerated sores
on the skin. It is highly treatable with ANTIBIOTIC
MEDICATIONSand nearly everyone who receives
anthrax 309