Varicella zoster/chicken pox - Herpes zoster / shingles

Varicella zoster/chicken pox

CKS

Varicella

Herpes zoster / shingles

CKS

PCDS Herpes Zoster

Pregnant/immunocompromised/neonate: seek urgent specialist advice.

Chicken pox: IF onset of rash <24hrs & >14 years or severe pain or dense/oral rash or second household case or steroids or smoker, consider aciclovir.

Shingles: treat if >50 years and within 72 hrs of rash (PHN rare if ​<50 years); or if  one of the following:active ophthalmic, Ramsey Hunt, eczema, non-truncal involvement, moderate or severe pain, moderate or severe rash

Drug details

If indicated: aciclovir

800mg five times a day

7 days

Second line for shingles if compliance a problem, as ten times cost

valaciclovir

1g TDS

7 days

orfamciclovir

500mg TDS or 750mg BD

7 days