Chickenpox

Notify Public Health, or Infection Prevention & Control if hospitalized.

For contact prophylaxis recommendations, see Prophylaxis for Contacts of Communicable Diseases.

Immunocompetent

- Most benefit if initiate acyclovir within 24h of rash onset.

- For encephalitis, hepatitis, pneumonitis, use acyclovir IV for all ages.

Varicella zoster

≤ 12 years old

Therapy not recommended unless:

• chronic cutaneous or pulmonary disorder

• long term salicylate therapy

• short, intermittent or aerosolized courses of corticosteroids

> 12 years old

Immunocompromised

Varicella zoster

Disseminated or central nervous system disease