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Question 725
Obstetric infection → Viral
Classification
Question
SSBAQuestion Header
Isolation of a woman admitted with varicella
Question Stem
A pregnant woman with chickenpox requires hospital admission. Which infection-control arrangement is most appropriate?
Options
A
Nurse her on the routine antenatal ward provided she wears a surgical mask
B
Isolate her only from women known to be VZV-seronegative
C
Isolation is unnecessary once antiviral therapy has started
D
Nurse her with postnatal women but away from newborn cots
E
Nurse her in isolation from babies, potentially susceptible pregnant women and non-immune staff
Explanation
Women hospitalised with varicella should be nursed in isolation from babies, potentially susceptible pregnant women and non-immune staff. A woman attending for assessment with a chickenpox rash should also be kept apart from other pregnant women. Starting antiviral therapy does not remove the requirement for appropriate isolation while she remains infectious.
Option Validity
A) routine antenatal placement would expose susceptible pregnant women.
B) isolation is not limited only to women whose seronegativity has already been documented.
C) antiviral treatment does not immediately eliminate infectivity.
D) postnatal placement risks exposure of mothers and babies.
Further Reading
RCOG Green-top Guideline No. 13, Chickenpox in Pregnancy, sections 4.3 and 5.3.