Do you get sick a lot working in the hospital

[Infofreak411]

So far I've caught a few colds working in the Hospital but everyone seems to make such a big issue about germ in the hospital. The way I look at it you are just as likely to go to your local grocery store, movie theater, school or gas station. What do you think?

[~PedsRN~, BSN, RN]

The first winter I worked in the children's hospital I was a snotty flu ridden MESS. I had it all. Every rhinovirus, adenovirus, RSV, etc. I was a walking cess pool. I washed my hands, I wore droplet precautions..... but there was always those times a kid was in distress and I would run in the room without a mask and I could just see the droplets flying towards my face.

After that initial first year, my immune system kicked into high gear and I average about a cold a year. Maybe two. No more than your average adult. And I definitely go to work sick. You have to. But I will always wear a mask so I don't infect anyone. Yuck.

[RNperdiem, RN]

The issue about germs is to protect the patient. We don't wash our hands just to protect ourselves, the main reason is to protect the patient when you do that central line change. Hospital acquired infections hit hard among the patients. We staff are less vulnerable compared to the patients.

Last time I was sick was about 4 years ago when I caught a stomach bug from my preschooler.

[chicookie, BSN, RN]

When you work in Peds, no amount of hand washing and standard precautions is going to help you. Lol I can't even begin to tell you how many kiddos have sneezed on my face. (I have bleached my face before, I was desperate!) Or one of my kiddos that had c-diff and stuck his germy hand in my mouth. That was horrible!

I personally feel that every time I float to the respiratory floor I always end up with something. I have gotten more sick working Peds then when I worked with adults.