inPractice® - Varicella Zoster Virus Prophylaxis

Author: Jin S. Suh, MD, FACP; Humberto R. Jimenez, PharmD, BCPS, AAHIVP (More Info)
Editors in Chief: Daniel R. Kuritzkes, MD; Joseph J. Eron, Jr., MD
Last Reviewed: 8/1/21 (What's New)

Susceptible patients with HIV should avoid exposure to persons with chickenpox or herpes zoster infection, and household contacts who are VZV susceptible should be vaccinated in order to prevent transmission
In the case of exposure to active varicella or herpes zoster, varicella zoster immune globulin should be administered as soon as possible and within 10 days (Table 4.)
The varicella virus vaccine is recommended for HIV-infected adults without immunity to VZV and with CD4+ cell counts ≥ 200 cells/mm³ and children 8 years of age and older who have a CD4+ cell percentage ≥ 15%. (Management Guidelines)^{[CDC OI]}