Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV)
Varicella zoster virus infections
Treatment
Diagnosis: typical clinical appearance with/without antibody testing, OR antigen testing / PCR / culture of swab / CSF / biopsy
During treatment: monitor renal function, adjust drug dose in renal impairment
| Drug / Dose | Comments | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Varicella infection (Chickenpox) and Herpes Zoster (Shingles): Not disseminated |
valaciclovir 1000 mg tid po |
Chickenpox: 5-7 days Shingles: 7-10 days |
| OR famciclovir 500 mg tid po |
||
| OR aciclovir 800 mg x 5/day po |
||
| Herpes Zoster: Disseminated | aciclovir 10 mg/kg tid iv |
10-14 days (or until clinical improvement) |
| Encephalitis (including vasculitis), retinitis |
aciclovir 10-15 mg/kg tid iv |
14-21 days |