Bibliographic information
GuidelineWHO recommendations on adolescent health: guidelines approved by the WHO guidelines review committee
Year of Publication2017
Issuing InstitutionWorld Health Organization
Recommendation
New
All children, adolescents and adults presenting with herpes zoster with unknown HIV status should be offered an HIV test and, if positive, assessed for ART eligibility
Recommended in favor
Strong
Certainty of evidence
Low
Notes and Remarks
Acyclovir, famciclovir and valaciclovir are all effective in the treatment of herpes zoster. Acyclovir is specifically listed due to its inclusion on the WHO Model list of essential medicines.a Famciclovir and valaciclovir are acceptable alternatives when available.