Management of varicella-zoster virus-exposed hospital employees.
Emergency physicians frequently manage hospital employee health services. A common hospital infection control problem is varicella-zoster virus infection. We reviewed the literature to determine a rational basis for the management of the varicella-zoster virus-exposed hospital employee. Exposed employees include those with direct face-to-face contact with an infected person. The immune status should be determined in those employees with a negative or uncertain history of varicella infection by using a sensitive and specific technique such as the FAMA or ELISA tests. Employees with a positive history or a positive titer are immune and can return to work. Those with a negative titer are susceptible and should avoid patient contact from day eight to 21 following exposure. High-risk, susceptible contacts should be given varicella-zoster immune globulin. Varicella infection will become much less common after the release of varicella vaccine.
D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002648:Child; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007106:Immune Sera; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012306:Risk
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007106:Immune Sera; C030799:varicella-zoster immune globulin