What type of isolation is required for a child hospitalized with chickenpox?

• A. Airborne isolation
• B. Contact isolation
• C. Droplet isolation
• D. Standard precautions

Answer: (A)

Airborne isolation is required because chickenpox spreads through tiny aerosolized particles that can linger in the air and travel beyond close contact. The varicella-zoster virus is highly contagious and can be transmitted from about one day before the rash appears until all the lesions have crusted, so placing a hospitalized child in an airborne isolation setting helps protect others, especially those at higher risk. In practice this means a private room with negative pressure if available, doors kept closed, and health care workers using an appropriate respirator (such as an N95) plus standard precautions. If the child must be moved outside the room, they should wear a mask to reduce transmission. Droplet or contact precautions alone do not adequately prevent the spread of varicella, which is why airborne isolation is the best choice.