key: cord-278873-x6i5tiju
authors: Reddy, Vidhatha; Kollhoff, Alexander L; Murase, Jenny E; Martires, Kathryn
title: Management guidelines for pregnant healthcare workers exposed to infectious dermatoses
date: 2020-04-18
journal: Int J Womens Dermatol
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijwd.2020.04.004
sha: 
doc_id: 278873
cord_uid: x6i5tiju

Exanthematous diseases are frequently of infectious origin, posing risks, especially for pregnant healthcare workers (HCWs) who treat them. The shift from cell-mediated (Th1 cytokine profile) to humoral (Th2 cytokine profile) immunity during pregnancy can influence the mother’s susceptibility to infection and lead to complications for both mother and fetus. The potential for vertical transmission must be considered when evaluating the risks for pregnant HCWs treating infected patients, as fetal infection can often have devastating consequences. Given the high proportion of women of childbearing age among HCWs, the pregnancy-related risks of infectious exposure are an important topic in both patient care and occupational health. Contagious patients with cutaneous manifestations often present to dermatology or pediatric clinics, where female providers are particularly prevalent, as a growing number of these physicians are female. Unfortunately, the risks of infection for pregnant HCWs are not well defined. To our knowledge, there is limited guidance on safe practices for pregnant HCWs who encounter infectious dermatologic diseases. In this article, we review several infectious exanthems, their transmissibility to pregnant women, the likelihood of vertical transmission, and the potential consequences of infection for the mother and the fetus. Additionally, we discuss recommendations with respect to avoidance, contact and respiratory precautions, and the need for treatment following exposure.

HCWs. This review identifies various infectious exanthems that pregnant HCWs may be exposed 30 to and summarizes current available evidence regarding risk of transmission. Specifically, we 31 discuss parvovirus B19, hand, foot and mouth disease, mycoplasma-induced rash and mucositis, 32 measles, herpes simplex virus, varicella-zoster virus, and pityriasis rosea. We also provide 33 guidelines for each disease in order for pregnant HCWs and HCWs of reproductive potential to 34 appropriately minimize risk and pursue work-up and treatment, if necessary, following exposure. 35 Finally, given the ongoing global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by 36 SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), we also summarize available 37 safety guidelines for pregnant HCWs who are working during this time. 59 Data on the risk of transmission to HCWs, however, is conflicting (Adler et al., 1993) . following exposure to infected patients. One single-center study at Children's Hospital of 63 Philadelphia found elevated risk of infection between exposed and unexposed staff (Bell et al., 64 1998 ). However, a cohort study of 87 HCWs exposed to two patients with parvovirus B19-65 induced aplastic crisis found no significant increase in parvovirus B19-specific immunoglobulin 66 M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies when compared with unexposed health care 67 workers in the same facility (Ray et al., 1997) .

While the risk of transmission to HCWs has not been definitively identified, preventing 69 the transmission of PVB19 infection is important as it can lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes.

PVB19 infection carries a 9% excess risk of miscarriage within the first 20 weeks of gestation, 71 and 2.9% risk of fetal hydrops between weeks 9 and 20 (Miller et al., 1998 vesicular rash affecting the hands, feet, and oral mucosa. As one of the most common pediatric 91 exanthems, HFMD is routinely seen by pediatric and dermatology HCWs, presenting a potential 92 concern for occupational exposure. 

All HCWs who are exposed to VZV should be monitored daily during days 8-21 after 

The etiology of PR is unclear. Various clinical and epidemiological features of PR 318 support a viral origin, including its self-limiting course, low recurrence rate, occasional 319 household clustering, possible seasonal variation, prodromal symptoms, response to acyclovir, 320 and higher prevalence during states of impaired immunity (e.g., pregnancy). There is a well-321 established association between PR and human herpesviruses 6 and 7 (HHV-6/7) (Drago et al., Since PR is self-limiting, management is generally limited to reassurance and the 360 treatment of symptoms with emollients, antihistamines, and occasionally topical steroids. when caring for patients with PR. Although PR is not thought to be contagious, and women of 374 childbearing age have likely already been exposed to HHV-6/7, this recommendation is based 375 upon the uncertainty surrounding its etiology and the potential danger of infection to the fetus. 

Both pregnant HCWs and patients have expressed concern regarding potential complications 387 from COVID-19, although the disease appears to disproportionately affect men compared to The CDC's recommendations for the vaccination of HCWs are summarized in Table 3 . 

Parvovirus B19 Infections among School and Hospital Employees during Endemic Periods

Pityriasis rosea-like eruption associated with ondansetron use in 453 pregnancy

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Immunization in special clinical circumstances

Red 460 book: 2012 report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases

Varicella-zoster infections

Red book: 2012 report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases

Notes from the Field: Outbreak of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Caused by 468

Coxsackievirus A6 Among Basic Military Trainees -Texas

Pregnancy outcome following rubella 471 vaccination: A prospective controlled study

Human Parvo Virus B19 474 Infection among Hospital Staff Members after Contact with Infected Patients

Guideline for 479 infection control in healthcare personnel

Additional evidence that pityriasis rosea is associated with 482 reactivation of human herpesvirus-6 and -7

The Acquisition of Herpes Simplex Virus during Pregnancy

Mouth Disease Caused by Coxsackievirus A6--Minnesota

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Early Developmental Outcomes of Children With Congenital 492 HHV-6 Infection

Infections in Pregnant Women. The Journal of Infectious Diseases

Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations 496 for Measles in Healthcare Settings

Transmission and Clinical Features of Enterovirus 71 Infections in 500

Household Contacts in Taiwan

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Atypical Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Caused by 587

Parvovirus B19: a review

Immunization of Health-Care Personnel: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization 591 Practices (ACIP)

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Management of an obstetric health care provider with acute 597 parvovirus B19 infection

Implementation of Hospital Policy for Healthcare Workers and 600 Patients Exposed to Varicella-Zoster Virus

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A case-controlled study comparing clinical course and outcomes of 606 pregnant and non-pregnant women with severe acute respiratory syndrome. BJOG: An International 607

Parvovirus B19 Infection in Human Pregnancy

Outbreak of parvovirus B19 infection among anesthesiology and surgical fellows

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Healthcare Workers' Influenza Vaccination Rates

Clinical manifestations and outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection during 618 pregnancy

Pityriasis rosea: An update on etiopathogenesis and 620 management of difficult aspects

Updated recommendations for use of VariZIG -United States

A report of three cases and review of intrauterine herpes 625 simplex virus infection

A Case of Macrolide-Refractory 627

Mycoplasma pneumoniae Pneumonia in Pregnancy Treated with Garenoxacin

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 630 Prevention of measles, rubella, congenital rubella syndrome, and mumps

Immediate and long term outcome of human 634 parvovirus B19 infection in pregnancy

Epidemiology, outcome and control of varicella-zoster infection

Gestational Pityriasis Rosea: Suggestions for 639

Approaching Affected Pregnant Women

208-Guidelines for the Management of Herpes Simplex Virus in Pregnancy. 641 Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease in an Adult

TORCH infections

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Maternal, fetal, and neonatal outcomes associated with measles during 654 pregnancy: Namibia

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Coxsackie virus A16

Pityriasis rosea in pregnancy: a case report

Outcome after Maternal Varicella Infection in the First 20 Weeks 661 of Pregnancy

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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) 670 and pregnancy: what obstetricians need to know

Nosocomial 673 exposure to parvovirus B19: low risk of transmission to healthcare workers

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Covid-19: doctors in final trimester of pregnancy should avoid direct patient contact

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The congenital varicella syndrome

An Analysis of 38 Pregnant Women with COVID-19, Their Newborn Infants, and Maternal-685

Fetal Transmission of SARS-CoV-2: Maternal Coronavirus Infections and Pregnancy Outcomes

Clinicopathologic analysis of 688 atypical hand, foot, and mouth disease in adult patients

Clinical Presentations of Parvovirus B19 Infection

Intrauterine viral infections 3

Immunization of health-care personnel: Recommendations of the 695

Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)

Guideline for Isolation Precautions: Preventing 697 Transmission of Infectious Agents in Health Care Settings

Low birth weight and maternal virus diseases: A prospective study of rubella, 700 measles, mumps, chickenpox, and hepatitis

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Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease

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Pityriasis rosea is associated with systemic active infection with 734 both human herpesvirus-7 and human herpesvirus-6

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Disseminated Herpesvirus Infection During Pregnancy

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