Taking care of patients with active varicella

Q: While entering the room of a patient who has developed active varicella, an N95 mask should be worn?

A) Yes

B) No

Answer: A

Patients with varicella require airborne as well as contact precautions. Ideally, these patients should be assigned to staff with confirmed evidence of immunity against varicella. N95 mask is required both for the staff and the visitors. Although a negative pressure room has been suggested, the risk for people in the corridor is very low and is not cost-effective.

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Reference:

1. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Immunization of health-care personnel: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR Recomm Rep 2011; 60:1.