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Chickenpox - Management
What is significant exposure to chickenpox?
- Type of varicella-zoster infection in the index case:
- Exposure is significant if contact with: chickenpox, disseminated zoster, immunocompetent people with exposed lesions (e.g. ophthalmic zoster), or immunosuppressed people with localized zoster on any part of the body.
- Timing of exposure in relation to the rash onset in the index case — exposure is significant if in contact with:
- Chickenpox — between 48 hours before onset of rash to crusting of lesions.
- Disseminated zoster — from 48 hours before onset of rash to crusting of lesions.
- Localized zoster — day of onset of rash until crusting of lesions.
- Closeness of contact:
- Exposure is significant if: maternal/neonatal contact, continuous home contact, contact in the same room (e.g. house or classroom, or 2- to 4-bed hospital bay) for 15 minutes or more, contact on large open wards (particularly paediatric wards), or face-to-face contact (e.g. having a conversation).
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