Do we know which Herpes Virus (the chicken pox one or the herpes simplex 1 or 2) is thought to cause Menieres? I just did a little googling, but it wasn't at all clear. I have to get my son a chicken pox vaccine, which is a live virus vaccine. I really don't have much choice because of the laws in my state, but it worries me to inject him with a herpes virus when I have suffered so much from one myself. I'd like to have more peace of mind around this. (Goodness knows, I don't need to add stress to my life!!) I'm pretty convinced that a herpes virus is a major component in my MM because of the impact antivirals have had on me. Actually just writing that statement is a bit helpful. If he ever gets MM, we will know how to address it much sooner than we did for me.
Well, look at it this way. If you take all the people who have had chicken pox or have gotten the vaccine vs. the number of people with Meniere's, the odds are in his favor. Plus, not all Meniere's is virus related. One thing I've always been curious about though which I don't think there have been studies on is whether or not Meniere's can be hereditary or if there is a genetic link of some sort.
No, we do not know which herpes virus. In my case, it happens i had a severe herpes 5, cmv virus a few months before being beset with hydrops. But who knows, not us, not the doctors.
If he doesnt get the vaccine, he will probably get chicken pox, dont you think? I doubt that is better. I think it is more to do with pur immune system's condition than the virus if you know what i mean. Almost everyone gets herpes viruses, several different kinds, before adulthood. Avoiding them just means you will get them later and maybe do worse damage. The exception to this of course is new borns and unborn children who need to be protected from them because of severe damage they can do.
I know, he will probably get the chicken pox virus either way. It's just the idea of actively putting in the one that might be MM. Somehow it is a relief to know they don't know it's the MM one for sure. Anyway, this is just about my worries, not really logical, and I feel a little better just for expressing some of this, and from the "aha" that I had last night when I wrote this up--that if he gets MM we will know how to address it. I'm so thankful for this board.
I was surprised to learn recently from a mother (because i dont have kids and dont keep up with developments ) that they treat chicken pox in kids with antivirals now. I know they treated my shingles and my husbands with antivirals and they were a Godsend.
I'll take them being prescribed to kids as one more thing that speaks to the safety of the antivirals!
my GP asked me to test for hsv1 and hsv2 both igg and igm after i showed him Dr Gacek's paper. since I'm positive on hsv1 igg, he gave me prescription for AV. if I'm not mistaken, chicken pox is vzv but i didn't test for vzv.
When i first brought the idea of avs up with my family dr, ten years ago, i was hestiant because i dont trust any drugs. She looked them up on her hand held pdr and said apart from their being metabolizrd by the liver 'like most medicines' they did not look risky to her. Of course she knew my history and that i didnt have kidney problems. They are always prescribed for shingles which is usually an elcerly patient. Now, how long they are taken may be a consideration. It is always good to have the family dr in thr loop,but compared to something like prednisone, they are pretty benign.