Prevention and control of varicella-zoster infections in healthcare facilities.
Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is the causative agent of two diseases: varicella (chickenpox) and zoster (shingles). Although varicella generally is a mild disease in children, serious morbidity and mortality are common if infection occurs in neonates, pregnant women, adults, or immunocompromised patients. For this reason, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all the hospitals institute control measures. Healthcare workers should be screened for VZV immunity and, if susceptible, should receive the recently licensed Oka/Merck vaccine (unless contraindicated). This article reviews nosocomial outbreaks associated with VZV and provides detailed algorithms for preexposure immunization and postexposure management of healthcare workers exposed to VZV.
Division of Infectious Disease, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, USA.
D J
DJ
Weber
W A
WA
Rutala
H
H
Hamilton
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018890:Chemoprevention / Q000379:methods; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002648:Child; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006268:Health Facilities; D006282:Health Personnel; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control; D010356:Patient Isolation; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods; D011247:Pregnancy; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014611:Vaccination / Q000592:standards
D000998:Antiviral Agents