[Varicella and herpes zoster. Part 2: therapy and prevention].
In Germany, five antiviral agents are approved for antiviral therapy in zoster patients (acyclovir, valacyclovir, famciclovir, brivudine, and foscarnet). They should be administered within 72 h after rash onset and can significantly shorten viral replication and reduce the complications. In 2004, the German Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) at the Robert Koch Institute suggested the active immunization against varicella with a live attenuated varicella vaccine (Oka strain) for all children and young persons. The first dose is given between the ages of 11 and 14 months, the second at the earliest 4 weeks later. Passive immunization is indicated as postexposure prophylaxis in high-risk individuals within 72-96 h after exposure. High-risk individuals are pregnant women, immunocompromised patients, or newborns, whose mothers had a primary varicella infection 5 days before or 2 days after birth. The Shingles Prevention Study demonstrated that vaccination is the most effective strategy for prevention of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia.
Wittek
Miriam
M
Institut für Medizinische Virologie, Universitätsklinikum Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Doerr
Hans Wilhelm
HW
Allwinn
Regina
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019433:Chickenpox Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D007117:Immunization, Secondary; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D051474:Neuralgia, Postherpetic / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D055815:Young Adult
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D019433:Chickenpox Vaccine