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Does Atorvastatin Have Any Effect On Herpes Infection?
Question: Can the medication Atorvastatin make your cold sore virus break out more ?
Brief Answer:
has small potential to affect immune system
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Cold sores are caused by the herpes virus, most commonly herpes 1.
The virus remains in the individual and it is reactivated at certain intervals.
Atorvastatin does not effect the herpes virus but there is a small possibility that it may affect your immune response and therefore the infection.
This is a small chance.
Atorvastatin and other statins have been studies in diseases with an immune impact such as rheumatoid arthritis and MS. Some research showed that this family of medications can help to reduce the body inflammatory and immune response and help in these persons.
The immune response in these conditions can cause additional problems.
If they can affect the immune response in the above conditions, it is possible that it may also reduce your immune response and ability to fight off the infection.
This is only a potential reaction.
The cold sore is a self limiting illness and should last less than 2 weeks in most persons.
IF it is lasting longer than this or is very severe then though the atorvastatin is a potential cause for mild increase severity, it should not cause severe problems so another cause should be found.
Summary: (1) atorvastatin has a small potential of affecting your immune response to the infection and cause mild worsening
(2) if symptoms severe or prolonged then there is likely another cause of immune suppression eg age, diabetes, other medication
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
has small potential to affect immune system
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Cold sores are caused by the herpes virus, most commonly herpes 1.
The virus remains in the individual and it is reactivated at certain intervals.
Atorvastatin does not effect the herpes virus but there is a small possibility that it may affect your immune response and therefore the infection.
This is a small chance.
Atorvastatin and other statins have been studies in diseases with an immune impact such as rheumatoid arthritis and MS. Some research showed that this family of medications can help to reduce the body inflammatory and immune response and help in these persons.
The immune response in these conditions can cause additional problems.
If they can affect the immune response in the above conditions, it is possible that it may also reduce your immune response and ability to fight off the infection.
This is only a potential reaction.
The cold sore is a self limiting illness and should last less than 2 weeks in most persons.
IF it is lasting longer than this or is very severe then though the atorvastatin is a potential cause for mild increase severity, it should not cause severe problems so another cause should be found.
Summary: (1) atorvastatin has a small potential of affecting your immune response to the infection and cause mild worsening
(2) if symptoms severe or prolonged then there is likely another cause of immune suppression eg age, diabetes, other medication
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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