OHCP Exposed to or Infected with Herpes Simplex and Varicella Zoster

The herpes simplex and varicella zoster viruses are transmitted primarily from person-to-person by direct contact with vesicular exudates, contaminated saliva, genital fluids (herpes simplex); inhalation of droplet nuclei from infected respiratory tract (varicella zoster); and less frequently, by contact with freshly contaminated articles and environmental surfaces.^50,51 In oral healthcare settings, administrative policies and work restrictions are primarily predicated on the mode of transmission of these pathogens and the period of infectivity of exposed or infected OHCP (Table 8).^1,2