An otherwise healthy friend of mine developed an eye infection 2 weeks ago. It started with a reddening of the right eye and then of the left too, altough less pronounced. After a week he went to Rama 9 hospital - Bangkok. The doc. thought it was standard red eye. But a couple of days ago I met him again and he was a little flustered as the same doc has diagnosed a more serious complaint, as far as I can gather the right eyeball is actually infected with the herpes virus, and he's having to take zivorax (aclovir) as I remember at 1000bt a day.

I'm a touch suspicious even though I've used this hospital to good effect, because it just looks like red eye to me.

1. Can anyone confirm the likelihood of this diagnosis?.

2. Say whether the generic drugs are effective.?

3. Perhaps point my friend to a cheaper second opinion?.

search 'ocular herpes' http://www.herpes-coldsores.com/ocular_herpes.htm

search 'ocular herpes' http://www.herpes-coldsores.com/ocular_herpes.htm

Thanks- that seems to comfirm the diagnosis and treatment is most likely correct.

If he is getting drugs at hospital they might be a lot cheaper at a drug store. Find my hospital charges about 100% more than discount drug stores (like Save Drug). Don't know if there is an alternative drug available (they used to be the only drug but seems like it has been ages so there might be an alternative now).

There are many locally made generic brands of aciclovir, will be much less expensive than Zovirax. Take meds to any large pharmacy and request a generic equivalent brand.