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TAM (Treatments and Medicines) NHS Highland
ADULT THERAPEUTIC GUIDELINES
ANTIMICROBIAL GUIDANCE
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Skin & soft tissue (Antimicrobial)
Varicella zoster/chicken pox - Herpes zoster/shingles (Antimicrobial)

Update your RDS mobile app to v4.7.2 to download toolkits even when website is down.

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. You will see that each toolkit has a small QR code icon in 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 update to the latest release - RDS app version 4.7.1 - to see this improvement.

Updating to this latest version of the RDS app is also strongly recommended to get the full benefits of the new resilience 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)

TAM (Treatments and Medicines) NHS Highland

CKS - chicken pox
CKS - shingles

Pregnant/immunocompromised/neonate: seek urgent specialist advice.

Chicken pox: Consider treatment if onset of rash <24hrs, and 1 of the following: over 14 years of age; severe pain; dense/oral rash; taking steroids; smoker.
Give paracetamol for pain relief.

Shingles: treat if >50 years and within 72 hrs of rash (PHN rare if <50 years); or if 1 of the following: active ophthalmic, Ramsey Hunt, eczema, non-truncal involvement; moderate or severe pain; moderate or severe rash.
Shingles treatment if not within 72 hours: consider starting antiviral drug up to 1 week after rash onset, if high risk of severe shingles or continued vesicle formation; older age; immunocompromised; or severe pain.

For glossary of terms see Glossary.

Drug details

Aciclovir 800mg five times a day

7 days

Last reviewed: 28/03/2024

Next review date: 28/03/2027

Author(s): Antimicrobial Management Team.

Version: 2

Approved By: TAM Subgroup of ADTC

Reviewer name(s): Alison Macdonald, Area Antimicrobial Pharmacist.

Document Id: AMT172