Method and apparatus for treatment of viral diseases

Abstract

An apparatus and method for treating viral infections delivers electrical stimulation to the skin or mucosa of a patient. The electrical stimulation is applied as a series of electrical pulses having different electrical characteristics. The apparatus may include a housing having at least two electrodes supplied with both AC and DC voltage, and powered by a battery. The electrodes are designed so as to maximize contact with the patient.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for applying electrical stimulation to a patient's skin or mucous membrane for treating viral infections, comprising:
 at least one first electrode;   at least one second electrode; and   means for outputting a series of electrical pulses through the at least one first electrode and the at least one second electrode, the series of electrical pulses comprising AC pulses, each comprising AC waveforms, and DC pulses, each comprising DC waveforms, the AC pulses and the DC pulses outputted at different and nonoverlapping periods of time, the frequency of the AC waveforms varying during the time periods when AC pulses are outputted.