Table 14.1.

Summary of infection control recommendations for common childhood viral infections

	Isolation precautions
Virus	Standard	Contact	Droplet	Airborne	Comments
Respiratory viruses
RSV	X	X			Droplet precautions may be used for immunocompromised patients in some centers
Parainfluenza viruses	X	X			Droplet precautions may be used for immunocompromised patients in some centers
Human metapneumoviruses	X	X			Droplet precautions may be used for immunocompromised patients in some centers; Single-room or cohorting
Influenza	X		X
Rhinovirus	X	X	X
Respiratory adenoviruses	X	X	X
Childhood exanthems
Measles	X	X		X	Airborne precautions recommended for 4 days after the onset of rash in immunocompetent hosts
Mumps	X	X	X		Droplet precautions recommended until 5 days after onset of parotid swelling
Rubella (postnatal)	X	X	X		Recommended for 7 days after onset of rash
Congenital rubella syndrome	X	X			Consultation with local public health authorities is recommended
Roseola	X
Chicken pox	X	X		X	Should be continued for a minimum of 5 days after onset of rash and until all lesions are crusted; see text for recommendations in neonates and immunocompromised hosts
Zoster	X	X			Airborne precautions recommended for immunocompromised patients or those with disseminated zoster
Parvovirus B19	X	X	X		Droplet precautions recommended for patients with aplastic crises and PPGSS or immunocompromised patients with chronic infection; otherwise standard precautions are sufficient
Gastrointestinal viruses
Rotavirus	X	X
Norovirus	X	X			Soap and water preferred over alcohol-based rubs for hand hygiene
Non-polio enteroviruses	X	X
Enteric adenovirus	X	X
Mucocutaneous viral infections
Human papillomavirus	X				N95 respirators are recommended during photoangiolytic/laser therapy
Herpes simplex virus	X	X
Other common viruses
Cytomegalovirus	X