Airborne/Contact Precautions

Chickenpox (Primary Varicella zoster infection) requires Standard precautions, Airborne Precautions and Contact Precautions.

Notify YNHH Epidemiology and Infection Control immediately at 8-4634 for specific instruction for a suspected case.

Airborne Precautions:

• Negative pressure room required
• No mask required if immune to Varicella.
• If not immune to Varicella (chickenpox):
  Do Not Enter Patient's Room
• Limit transport of patient; if transporting is necessary, place a N-95 mask on patient; all staff who have contact with patient during transport must be immune.

• Don and remove gown and gloves upon entering and exiting patient's room.
• Dedicate non-critical patient care equipment.

Duration of Precautions: Maintain precautions until all lesions are crusted. The average incubation period for varicella is 10 to 16 days, with a range of 10 to 21 days. Place exposed susceptible patients on Airborne Precautions beginning on the 10th day after exposure and continuing until 21 days after last exposure (up to 28 days if VZIG has been given).

Chickenpox is a Category 1 reportable disease for:

• admission to hospital, any age
• adults >18 years, any clinical setting

1. Connecticut Epidemiology Program (860) 509-7994
2. local health department in which the patient resides

To initiate reporting, notify YNHH Epidemiology and Infection Control at 8-4634.

Additional Information on Reportable Diseases

Location of Negative Pressure Rooms

YNHH Varicella Infection Control Policy

Last modified: February 24, 2003.



Copyright ©2001 Yale New Haven Hospital, Quality Improvement Support Services. All rights reserved.
Comments or suggestions to the site editor.

Home URL: http://www.ynhh.org