Women who suffer from frequent yeast infections might soon be able to find relief in a preventive treatment.

A recent study by Wayne State University's Jack D. Sobel, professor of infectious diseases, discovered a weekly dose of the anti-fungal drug Diflucan could prevent the infections.

Diflucan, which had previously been used to treat infections once they occurred, is available at Olin Health Center along with its generic counterpart fluconazole. The anti-fungal medicines are common treatments for pneumonia and meningitis.

Olin officials, however, are skeptical about using the drugs as preventives.

"The vast majority of prescriptions are for treatment," said Olin spokeswoman Kathi Braunlich. "They're not used as a preventive, and not at all with yeast infections."

Braunlich said yeast infections are a common complaint from women who visit Olin, but the number of patients affected was unavailable.

She said women should visit a doctor if they suspect they have a yeast infection.

"If it's the first time the woman experiences the symptoms she should go in to have it evaluated by a medical provider," Braunlich said. "By self-treating you may be treating the wrong thing. But once you've gone in and understand what the symptoms are, you should know how to adequately treat the infection."

Olin Health Center includes a gynecology unit that students can visit if they suspect a yeast infection, or have questions about other health issues.

Other treatments for yeast infections include creams such as gynazole and over-the-counter medications, both of which are provided at Olin Health Center.

The use of the fluconazole pill is on the rise, a trend both the Olin Health Center Pharmacy and Sobel attributed to the end of the Diflucan patent.

And Diflucan can cost up to $30 a pill. Sobel said he hopes the generic brands will lower prices, and encourage insurers to cover the cost of the medication.

"The price dropped by one third in the first week," Sobel said. "With a scientific study insurance companies have no excuse not to provide the drug."

Advertising sophomore Jacquelyn Mieksztyn's said she's concerned about effectiveness of a six month treatment.

"To a certain extent the preventive is a good idea, but you can also create an immunity to it," she said.

But Joy Fahmie said she would welcome any treatment available.

"I've seen people with yeast infections and apparently they are horrible," the communication freshman said. "I wouldn't want to have them."

Sobel's study did not eradicate yeast infections for all of its participants.

While taking fluconazole, 91 percent of women remained clear, but in the months following only 43 percent did not have infections.

"In some women you're eradicating the organism, and in other women, you're suppressing the organism," Sobel said. "In women where the drug was suppressing the organism, once the drug is ended, there is a relapse."

Most of the 387 women in the study suffered from Candida albicans, a dimorphic fungus present in the vagina, that is the most common cause of yeast infections. However, fluconazole does treat all infections.

According to the Diflucan Web site, the drug does not seem to alter the effects of other medications, specifically oral contraceptives. It does not address the potential effects of long-term use.