Janaki:  To my knowledge, the reason for treating shingles is to try to
prevent the painful condition of post-herpetic neuralgia, a severe pain
along the site of the affected nerve which can last for weeks or months
after the shingles have healed.  Post-herpetic neuralgia tends to ocur
more in older individuals.  Depending on her age, she may opt to forgo
any treatment, since shingles heal up without any scarring anyway.  If
she wants medication, I would agree that acyclovir is a better choice,
since it is a drug whose effects are better known (and it is used in infants
when needed).  The only advantage I know of with famvir is that it's
easier to take (I have not prescribed it, but I believe it only needs to
be taken twice a day, while acyclovir is five times a day).
As for contact with the baby, the location of the lesions is probably the
most important.  If they are in a place where they can be covered and are
not on or near the breast, there is no reason she couldn't breastfeed.
Even if this were not the case, we don't prohibit moms who get chicken
pox after the first week postpartum from nursing, and shingles is much
less contagious.  Also, it is my understanding that a baby older than 1
month is at no increased risk of encephalitis or other complications from
chicken pox.  Hope this information helps you in providing information
that this mother can use to make her decision.  Alicia.  [log in to unmask]