Sick with Tonsillitis! What do I do?

[mamamellieee]

So, last night, I went to Urgent Care because I suspected of having Strep Throat. The rapid 5-minute test for Strep A was negative, but the doctor did a throat culture swab and the results won't be back in for another 5 days. She did confirm that I have tonsillitis.

My symptoms are: fever, chills, body aches, head aches, swollen tonsils, red uvula, white patches on my tonsils, difficulty swallowing, difficulty talking, bad taste in my throat, and bad breath.

However, within those 5 days of waiting for the results to come in, I will be having 2 clinical days at a children's hospital! I don't know how contagious I am, and don't want to compromise my patients, but at the same time, it's hard to miss clinical days without consequences.

What should I do?

[RN403, BSN, RN]

I think it'd only be fair to your patients not to go. You don't want to get them sick. I would just explain to your clinical instructor that you are sick and follow up with an official note from the urgent care center if needed and make up the clinical later. Besides, I think it'd be better to get rest than be running around at clinical. Feel better!

[bubblejet50]

At my school if you missed 2 clinicals for ANY reason you were dropped from the program. We all muddled through at least one clinical while sick. Wash your hands a lot and wear a mask.

[melizerd, ASN, RN]

Can you start the antibiotics now in case? And I'd wear a mask and wash extra and go anyhow.

I think most of us live in fear of being sick. I missed one clinical day and the make up time was brutal.

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

We can't advise you what to do. We cannot tell you to take XYZ medication (antibiotics) per TOS. You need to ask this of your healthcare provider and your nursing program.

We hope you feel better soon.