| [ Summary ] |
The authors reviewed the synptoms, diagnosis and treatment of common viral infections, such as the influenza virus, the herpes virus and the cytomegalo virus, in hemodialysis patients. The major complication with influenza is pneumonia, which may be severe in elderly people and hemodialysis patients. Early therapy, with antiinfluenza drugs is effective in preventing the development of symptoms. Acyclovir is first choice for herpes virus infections. Cytomegalovirus infection injures many organs, including the lungs, liver, gastrointestinal tract, retina or brain. Gancyclovir, is the first choice drug for the cytomegalovirus infections. Antigenemia methods are useful for attestation of antigen of cytomegalovirus. In hemodialysis patients the half life of acyclovir and gancyclovir is prolonged, therfore dosage reduction could possibly prevent nervous toxicity. |