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Antimicrobial prescribing: NHS Forth Valley
Primary Care Guidance
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SKIN INFECTIONS
Varicella zoster/chicken pox - Herpes zoster / shingles

Please update your RDS mobile app to version 4.7.1

We are pleased to advise that deep linking capability, enabling users to directly download individual mobile toolkits, has now been released on the RDS mobile app. When you install the update, you will see that each toolkit has a small QR code icon the header area beside the search icon – see screenshot below. Clicking on this icon will open up a window with a full-size QR code and the alternative of a short URL for sharing with users. Instructions are provided.

You may need to actively install the update to install RDS app version 4.7.1 to see this improvement. Installing this update is also strongly recommended to get the full benefits of the new contingency arrangements – specifically, that if the RDS website should fail, you will still be able to download new mobile app toolkits.

To check your current RDS version, click on the three dots bottom right of the RDS app screen. This takes you to a “More” page where you will see the version number. To install latest updates:

On iPhones – go to the Apple store, click on your profile icon top right, scroll down to see the apps waiting to be updated and update the RDS app.

On Android phones – these can vary, but try going to the Google Play store, click on your profile icon top right, click on “Manage apps and device”, select and update the RDS app.

Please get in touch with ann.wales3@nhs.scot with any questions.

Varicella zoster/chicken pox - Herpes zoster / shingles

Antimicrobial prescribing: NHS Forth Valley

NHS Forth Valley

Varicella zoster/chicken pox

CKS

Varicella

Herpes zoster / shingles

CKS

PCDS Herpes Zoster

Pregnant/immunocompromised/neonate: seek urgent specialist advice.

Chicken pox: IF onset of rash <24hrs & >14 years or severe pain or dense/oral rash or second household case or steroids or smoker, consider aciclovir.

Shingles: treat if >50 years and within 72 hrs of rash (PHN rare if <50 years); or if one of the following:active ophthalmic, Ramsey Hunt, eczema, non-truncal involvement, moderate or severe pain, moderate or severe rash

Drug details

If indicated: aciclovir

800mg five times a day

7 days

Second line for shingles if compliance a problem, as ten times cost

valaciclovir

1g TDS

7 days

orfamciclovir

500mg TDS or 750mg BD

7 days