Myths and Misconceptions: Varicella-Zoster Virus Exposure, Infection Risks, Complications, and Treatments

Alexander M. Newman; Ravi Jhaveri

doi:10.1016/j.clinthera.2019.06.009

Myths and Misconceptions: Varicella-Zoster Virus Exposure, Infection Risks, Complications, and Treatments

Alexander M. Newman, Ravi Jhaveri^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Pediatrics

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Varicella zoster and herpes zoster are infections caused by the highly contagious varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Despite widespread availability of vaccines against VZV, as well as varicella vaccination rates >95%, VZV remains a public health concern because of several common myths and misconceptions. Because of the success of routine varicella vaccination programs, some people mistakenly believe that varicella and herpes zoster are now no longer a threat to public health. Another common misconception is that shingles is less infectious than varicella; however, clinical evidence indicates otherwise. Several knowledge gaps exist around VZV transmission and the availability and use of varicella zoster immune globulin (human) for postexposure prophylaxis against VZV. To help reduce the incidence of severe disease in high-risk individuals (eg, elderly people, pregnant women, unvaccinated persons, infants, and immunocompromised children and adults), this article addresses misbeliefs and broadens awareness of VZV exposure, infection risks, complications, and treatments.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	1816-1822
Number of pages	7
Journal	Clinical Therapeutics
Volume	41
Issue number	9
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinthera.2019.06.009
State	Published - Sep 2019

Funding

Funding was provided by Saol Therapeutics.Dr Newman has received funding/grant support from Merck. Dr Jhaveri has received funding/grant support from AbbVie, Gilead, and Merck and honorarium for consultancy from MedImmune/Astra Zeneca. He is also an unpaid consultant for Saol. The authors have indicated that they have no other conflicts of interest regarding the content of this article.We thank Saol Therapeutics for support of this article. Medical writing support, funded by Saol Therapeutics, was provided by Caroline Walsh Cazares, PhD, of JB Ashtin, who developed the first draft based on an author-approved outline and assisted in implementing author revisions throughout the editorial process. All authors contributed equally to the research concept and study design; data acquisition and interpretation; and wrote, edited, reviewed, and approved the manuscript for publication.

Keywords

herpes zoster
postexposure prophylaxis
public health
varicella

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Pharmacology
Pharmacology (medical)

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10.1016/j.clinthera.2019.06.009

Cite this

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title = "Myths and Misconceptions: Varicella-Zoster Virus Exposure, Infection Risks, Complications, and Treatments",

abstract = "Varicella zoster and herpes zoster are infections caused by the highly contagious varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Despite widespread availability of vaccines against VZV, as well as varicella vaccination rates >95%, VZV remains a public health concern because of several common myths and misconceptions. Because of the success of routine varicella vaccination programs, some people mistakenly believe that varicella and herpes zoster are now no longer a threat to public health. Another common misconception is that shingles is less infectious than varicella; however, clinical evidence indicates otherwise. Several knowledge gaps exist around VZV transmission and the availability and use of varicella zoster immune globulin (human) for postexposure prophylaxis against VZV. To help reduce the incidence of severe disease in high-risk individuals (eg, elderly people, pregnant women, unvaccinated persons, infants, and immunocompromised children and adults), this article addresses misbeliefs and broadens awareness of VZV exposure, infection risks, complications, and treatments.",

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note = "Funding Information: Funding was provided by Saol Therapeutics.Dr Newman has received funding/grant support from Merck. Dr Jhaveri has received funding/grant support from AbbVie, Gilead, and Merck and honorarium for consultancy from MedImmune/Astra Zeneca. He is also an unpaid consultant for Saol. The authors have indicated that they have no other conflicts of interest regarding the content of this article.We thank Saol Therapeutics for support of this article. Medical writing support, funded by Saol Therapeutics, was provided by Caroline Walsh Cazares, PhD, of JB Ashtin, who developed the first draft based on an author-approved outline and assisted in implementing author revisions throughout the editorial process. All authors contributed equally to the research concept and study design; data acquisition and interpretation; and wrote, edited, reviewed, and approved the manuscript for publication. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2019",

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N2 - Varicella zoster and herpes zoster are infections caused by the highly contagious varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Despite widespread availability of vaccines against VZV, as well as varicella vaccination rates >95%, VZV remains a public health concern because of several common myths and misconceptions. Because of the success of routine varicella vaccination programs, some people mistakenly believe that varicella and herpes zoster are now no longer a threat to public health. Another common misconception is that shingles is less infectious than varicella; however, clinical evidence indicates otherwise. Several knowledge gaps exist around VZV transmission and the availability and use of varicella zoster immune globulin (human) for postexposure prophylaxis against VZV. To help reduce the incidence of severe disease in high-risk individuals (eg, elderly people, pregnant women, unvaccinated persons, infants, and immunocompromised children and adults), this article addresses misbeliefs and broadens awareness of VZV exposure, infection risks, complications, and treatments.

AB - Varicella zoster and herpes zoster are infections caused by the highly contagious varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Despite widespread availability of vaccines against VZV, as well as varicella vaccination rates >95%, VZV remains a public health concern because of several common myths and misconceptions. Because of the success of routine varicella vaccination programs, some people mistakenly believe that varicella and herpes zoster are now no longer a threat to public health. Another common misconception is that shingles is less infectious than varicella; however, clinical evidence indicates otherwise. Several knowledge gaps exist around VZV transmission and the availability and use of varicella zoster immune globulin (human) for postexposure prophylaxis against VZV. To help reduce the incidence of severe disease in high-risk individuals (eg, elderly people, pregnant women, unvaccinated persons, infants, and immunocompromised children and adults), this article addresses misbeliefs and broadens awareness of VZV exposure, infection risks, complications, and treatments.

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Myths and Misconceptions: Varicella-Zoster Virus Exposure, Infection Risks, Complications, and Treatments

Abstract

Funding

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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