Deb:  I haven't seen a response from Dr. Hale, but I have a few comments
on valcyclovir.  First of all, since acyclovir is AAP compatible with
breastfeeding (it's used in infants anyway, with little toxicity), why go
for the "new" drug and not use acyclovir?  My next point is that it's not
unreasonable to take no medication at all.  My understanding is that we
treat shingles to prevent the complication of post-herpetic neuralgia, a
condition of severe persisting pain in the skin where the herpes had come
out along the nerve root.  This is much more likely in older patients
with shingles.  How old is this mother?  If she's under 40, her chances
of getting post-herpetic neuralgia are quite low, so if she's
uncomfortable with even using acyclovir, she could opt to not take
anything.  Hope this helps.  Alicia.  [log in to unmask]