Korean J healthc assoc Infect Control Prev.  2021 Dec;26(2):83-88. 10.14192/kjicp.2021.26.2.83.

Control and Prevention of Varicella in Healthcare Settings

• Cho SY

• KMID: 2523605
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14192/kjicp.2021.26.2.83

Abstract

The varicella-zoster virus (VZV) causes both varicella and herpes zoster. Although varicella usually causes a mild infection in healthy children, it is highly contagious and can trigger a serious infection in high-risk populations, such as immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women, and neonates. Nosocomial transmission of VZV can be attributed to the delay in diagnosis and failure to implement prompt control measures. Early detection and isolation of patients with varicella are important in healthcare settings. The management of individuals exposed to VZV should take into consideration the type of exposure, the individual’s evidence of immunity, and host-immune status. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are not only at a higher risk of VZV infection from patients but can also in turn spread it to high-risk patients. Therefore, all HCWs should be screened for VZV immunity and, if found susceptible, should be vaccinated. This article focuses on managing cases of varicella or herpes zoster in healthcare settings to prevent nosocomial transmission of VZV.

Keyword

Chickenpox; Herpes zoster; Varicella-zoster virus infection

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Management of exposure to varicella or disseminated zoster. aAge ≥12 months, not pregnant, not immunocompromised, no history of severe reaction to varicella vaccine or varicella vaccine component. bImmunocompromised patients, pregnant women, newborns of mothers who develop varicella five days before to two days after delivery, hospitalized premature infants born at ≥28 weeks of gestation whose mothers do not have evidence of immunity, hospitalized premature infants born at <28 weeks of gestation or who weigh ≤1000 g at birth, regardless of maternal evidence of immunity to varicella.

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  Fig. 2 Management of healthcare workers exposed to varicella or disseminated zoster. aAge ≥12 months, not pregnant, not immunocompromised, no history of severe reaction to varicella vaccine or varicella vaccine component. bImmunocompromised patients, pregnant women, newborns of mothers who develop varicella five days before to two days after delivery, hospitalized premature infants born at ≥28 weeks of gestation whose mothers do not have evidence of immunity, hospitalized premature infants born at <28 weeks of gestation or who weigh ≤1000 g at birth, regardless of maternal evidence of immunity to varicella.

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