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Prevention and Control of Varicella-Zoster Infections in Healthcare Facilities

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

David J. Weber ,
William A. Rutala  and
Holli Hamilton
David J. Weber*
Affiliation:
Division of Infectious Disease, University of North Carolina School of Medicine Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina School of Public Health Department of Hospital Epidemiology, University of North Carolina Hospitals, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
William A. Rutala
Affiliation:
Division of Infectious Disease, University of North Carolina School of Medicine Department of Hospital Epidemiology, University of North Carolina Hospitals, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Holli Hamilton
Affiliation:
Division of Infectious Disease, University of North Carolina School of Medicine Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina School of Public Health
*
547 Burnett-Womack, CB #7030, Division of Infectious Diseases, UNC at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7030
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Abstract

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.

Type
Topics in Occupational Medicine
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 17 , Issue 10 , October 1996 , pp. 694 - 705
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 1996 

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