Question

If a healthy 6-year-old child (who does not have evidence of immunity to varicella) was exposed to a confirmed case of varicella 2 days ago, the correct action to take is:
a) Advise the parents that the child will likely develop varicella.
b) Administer antiviral medication (or refer the child to a health care provider who can administer antiviral medication).
c) Administer VZIG (or refer the child to a health care provider who can VZIG).
d) Administer varicella vaccine.

Answer 1

Administer varicella vaccine to the health 6-year old child (who does not have evidence of immunity to varicella) was exposed to a confirmed case of varicella 2 days ago.

Explanation:

It is seen that if a child receives varicella vaccine between 3 to 5 days of exposure, he is safe as disease will not appear in him and would be saved for future infections.

Varicella vaccine is given for prevention against small pox. It is expected once immunised with varicella body will produce antibodies for a span of twenty years or more.