title: Varicella infection in pregnancy.
abstract: Varicella (chickenpox) is a common childhood illness. Most adults are immune to the virus because of previous exposure. Pregnant women who contract varicella risk complications such as pneumonia. Varicella may be transmitted from mother to fetus and could cause congenital varicella syndrome or perinatal infection. Susceptibility to varicella should be determined before pregnancy. Varicella zoster immune globulin may be considered for the mother or newborn if exposure occurs. Acyclovir may decrease the risk of maternal complications from infection.
authors.affiliation: Boston College, School of Nursing, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467-3812, USA. mccartdw@bc.edu
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: McCarter-Spaulding
mesh_terms: D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy / Q000635:transmission; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods; D003663:Decision Trees; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D016389:Maternal-Child Nursing / Q000379:methods; D024802:Nurse's Role; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D014611:Vaccination
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000212:Acyclovir