The prevention and treatment of varicella-zoster infection in patients at high risk

Disseminated herpes zoster or varicella can be life-threatening to patients with malignancy or immune deficiency and those receiving immunosuppres sive or cytotoxic drugs. For prevention of the infection, convalescent zoster plasma or Zoster Immune Globulin (ZIG) should be given within 72 hours after exposure to herpes zoster or varicella. For such patients already ill with herpes zoster infection or varicella, cytosine arabinoside should be infused continuously for several days until the infection is under control.