Herpes Zoster: Reassessment of Isolation—Precautions in Hospitals

Burkhart, Craig N.; Barnett, Robert

doi:10.1111/j.1540-9740.2003.02004.x

Cited by 3 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…This supports that aerosol transmission of VZV occurs and that special airborne transmission precautions for patients with varicella need to be taken into account to reduce transmission among individuals [26].…”

Section: Airborne Transmissionmentioning

confidence: 60%

“…The finding that the VZV DNA was detected on the air conditioner is vital because there was no contact between the patient and the air conditioner filter. The biphasic viremia during incubation period of varicella and airborne spread of varicella-zoster virus were shown by virus isolation or by detection of the virus DNA [26]. The airborne transmission of VZV has been documented in several reports.…”

Section: Airborne Transmissionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Herpes: Issues Under the Cold Sore~!2010-04-23~!2010-07-12~!2010-08-10~!

Mahendiran¹,

Burkhart²,

Burkhart³

2010

TODJ

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Herpes simplex virus is a widespread disease affecting about one-third of the world's population. Many individuals suffer from its painful and debilitating manifestations, which greatly impact daily living and can lower one's self-esteem and confidence. It is therefore vital to understand this disease process including its acquisition, replication, transmission, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment in order to better manage patients. While herpes can have many negative consequences, it also appears to offer some benefit to humans through a symbiotic relationship. In this review of herpes, there are three important points that need to be emphasized. First, herpes can be found in all organs throughout the human body and not just the dorsal root ganglion. Secondly, herpes has been proven to be recurrent by laboratory testing. Thirdly, hospitals should institute respiratory (not merely skin) precautions for herpes zoster due to potential airborne transmission.

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Section: Airborne Transmissionmentioning

confidence: 60%

Section: Airborne Transmissionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Herpes: Issues Under the Cold Sore~!2010-04-23~!2010-07-12~!2010-08-10~!

Mahendiran¹,

Burkhart²,

Burkhart³

2010

TODJ

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“…Persons with varicella are considered infectious from 1 to 2 days before the rash appears and until all lesions are crusted over. [ 5 6 ] An outbreak of varicella is defined as the occurrence of five or more cases in a specific setting that are epidemiologically linked. Cases should be considered part of an outbreak if they occur within at least one incubation period (10–21 days) of the previous case-patient, and surveillance should continue through two full incubation periods (42 days) after the rash onset of the last identified case-patient to ensure that the outbreak has ended.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Therefore, HZ is considered far less contagious than its varicella counterpart because the virus is believed to be localized to the skin and does not involve the respiratory tract. [ 6 ] Current guidelines for prevention of varicella spread from a HZ patient state that in all cases, standard infection-control precautions should be followed. They recommend the covering of HZ lesions as a means of preventing nosocomial spread and do not recommend the isolation of all affected patients.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chicken pox outbreak in the Intensive Care Unit of a tertiary care hospital: Lessons learnt the hard way

Sharma

Chhina

et al. 2015

Indian Journal of Critical Care Medicine

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Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) causes 2 clinically and epidemiologically distinct forms of diseases. Chickenpox (varicella) is the disease that results from primary infection with the VZV. Herpes zoster (HZ) results from the reactivation of VZV latently infecting the dorsal root ganglia. We are reporting an outbreak of varicella infection among the health care workers (HCWs) in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a tertiary care hospital. We found transmission of varicella among eight HCWs of pulmonary ICU. They had a history of contact with a patient having HZ infection. Investigation of the outbreak was conducted as per guidelines. Better dissemination of information on disease transmission, isolation of infected patients inside the hospital, and adequate protection (including vaccination) for susceptible employees are important to prevent such outbreaks.

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“…2,9 Because the HZ lesions contain VZV, patients are considered infectious until lesions are dried. 21 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention include HZ under those illnesses requiring airborne (for disseminated disease) and contact isolation precautions in the hospital. Pregnant women and immunosuppressed patients have the highest risk of serious complications.…”

Section: Patient Education/preventionmentioning

confidence: 99%