Shingles is an infection commonly seen in children with a weakened immune system
(immunocompromised children). The immune system can be weakened as a result of medications
that patients receive for cancer or other serious illness or as a result of a bone marrow
transplantation. Shingles in children with a weakened immune system may spread throughout the
body and in some instances may be life-threatening. Acyclovir is a medication that is
routinely used to treat immunocompromised children with shingles in order to prevent further
spread of their shingles and to help them heal faster. Acyclovir is also given to bone marrow
transplant patients to prevent reactivation of HSV infection.
Valacyclovir is a new drug that is metabolized (broken down in the body) to acyclovir.
Valacyclovir is given by mouth and studies done in adults have shown it to be more effective
than acyclovir given by mouth.
The purpose of this study is to
- study the pharmacology of this drug (how the body handles this drug),
- determine if oral Valacyclovir can be safely given to children with shingles, and
- determine the type of side effects that occur when oral Valacyclovir is given to
immunocompromised children.