IDSA Recommendations for Preventing and Treating Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) Infections in HIV-AIDS Pre-Exposure Prevention of VZV Primary Infection Indications: • Adult and adolescent patients with CD4 count ≥200 cells/mm3 without documentation of vaccination, health-care provider diagnosis or verification of a history of varicella or herpes zoster, laboratory confirmation of disease, or persons who are seronegative for VZV Vaccination: • Primary varicella vaccination (Varivax™), 2 doses (0.5 mL SQ) administered 3 months apart • If vaccination results in disease because of vaccine virus, treatment with acyclovir is recommended. • VZV-susceptible household contacts of susceptible HIV-infected persons should be vaccinated to prevent potential transmission of VZV to their HIV-infected contacts. • If post-exposure VariZIG has been administered, wait at least 5 months before varicella vaccination. • If post-exposure acyclovir has been administered, wait at least 3 days before varicella vaccine Treatment of Varicella Infections Primary Varicella Infection (Chickenpox) Uncomplicated Cases - Preferred Therapy: • Valacyclovir 1 g PO TID (AII), or • Famciclovir 500 mg PO TID (AII) Alternative Therapy: Acyclovir 800 mg PO 5 times daily (BII) Duration: 5–7 days #Varicella #Zoster #VZV #IDSA #Prevention #Treatment #management #opportunistic #infections #HIVAIDS #pharmacology
