Infect Chemother.  2003 Dec;35(6):401-406.

Susceptibility of Health Care Workers to Measles, Rubella, and Varicella at a University Hospital

• Choi HJ
• Shim YS
• Jeong SY

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Susceptible health care workers are at risk of acquiring and transmitting measles, rubella, and varicella. This study was performed to assess the immune status and to determine the prevention strategy for aforementioned diseases.
METHODS
A total of 182 subjects were tested for immunoglobulin G of measles, rubella, and varicella. The results were evaluated with histories of the three diseases, vaccination or contact histories to determine which historical information can predict the immunity.
RESULTS
We found that 94.5% of the subjects were serologically immune to measles, 85.2% to rubella, and 82.4% to varicella. The historical information did not predict immunity for measles, rubella, and varicella.
CONCLUSION
We recommend that all health care workers involved in the clinical care of patients should be screened for their antibody against varicella, and those who are susceptible to varicella, measles or rubella should be vaccinated.

Keyword

Measles; Rubella; Varicella; Susceptibility; Health care worker

MeSH Terms

Chickenpox*
Delivery of Health Care*
Humans
Immunoglobulin G
Measles*
Rubella*
Vaccination
Immunoglobulin G