Risk of transmission of viruses in the dental office.

In addition to the bloodborne pathogens (BBPs) — human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV and HCV) — other viruses of concern in the dental office include rubella, mumps and measles viruses; the herpes viruses (herpes simplex virus [HSV] types 1 and 2, varicella-zoster, Epstein-Barr virus [EBV], cytomega lovirus and human herpes virus 6); human papilloma viruses; adenovirus; coxsackie viruses; and the upper respiratory tract pathogens (influenza A and B viruses, human parvovirus B19 and respiratory syncytial virus). Most of these are far more prevalent than the BBPs and many are of particular concern to nonimmune pregnant women and immunocompromised patients. Immunization of nonimmune health care workers is recommended to reduce the risk of infection with measles, mumps, rubella, polio, influenza, varicella-zoster and HBV. The recently introduced varicella-zoster vaccine is strongly recommended for those health care workers who treat children and medically compromised patients.