Been so sick... working urgent care

[Epona]

Good morning. Let me say, I am happy to have a job in this economy. I am working in urgent care and really like it. HOWEVER, I have worked there for a little over two months and have been sick BOTH months. I missed one day the first time and two days this time. Had to be put on an antibiotic this time. Had a severe throat infection with a temp.

For those working in urgent care (or a similar setting), how do you keep yourself from getting sick??? I eat well and take vitamins and rest well. When I worked in the hospital, I only got sick one time. When I worked in admin., I NEVER got sick. But doing this urgent care clinic, I am sick ALL THE TIME.

Any suggestions to keep from getting the bugs??? I do see it all.... strep, flu, viruses, pneumonia, etc. We see sometimes 100 patients a day with all the germies. I am thinking under this environment, I am prone to be SICK.

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

It will get better as your immune system takes on the challenging onslaught of germs.

[FancypantsRN]

I usually wear a mask if I think someone has strep throat, I never want that again. I have had the flu shot, so I'm not as worried about that. Also, if you suspect meningitis, be sure to grab a mask for that as well.

[netglow, ASN, RN]

Use a mask if someone is coughing. If they seem surprised you got a mask on, just say, "I'm wearing a mask so that I don't catch what you have, and then pass it around to everybody else that I see in the clinic today" I've had that said to me when I've gone in to get checked out because I've been sick, and I've said it to patients. Everybody is fine with that. If someone is not actively coughing, then start out by spending some time following the three feet rule, and if you are doing vitals, don't stand in front of their nose/mouth, but stand to one side or the other, that way you can lean back or step back should the sneeze or cough, and at least it won't be directly in your face.

[TakeTwoAspirin, MSN, RN, APRN]

I take probiotics on a regular basis, and if I'm around flu-like sick people I also take Airborne immune system boost, Vit C and B. Seems to work OK for me. Good luck.

[AJPV]

Be OCD-ish about hand hygiene! Before you ever touch your eyes/nose/face, think about all the things your hands have touched since you last washed or used sanitizer.

[KateRN1]

Wash your hands religiously between patients. When turning over rooms, wipe down all surfaces and remember to wipe the doorknobs/handles, too. Remind other staff to wash hands, too.

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

A flu shot (if not allergic) and lots of handwashing.

One question I have for the group...can strep throat be transmitted by an airborne route or does it require direct contact? Many ED nurses (including myself) have taken care of several strep pts in the ED, some with peritonsillar abscess, and I cannot think of an instance where any of us developed strep throat. In addition, we don't isolate these pt's, and they walk around with the general ED population, wait in the waiting room, etc. Just curious what people know about this.

[Jenni811, RN]

have them wear a mask. I've had my patients wear a mask before. If they are contagious and want to go walking in the halls, they must wash their hands, change their gowns and put on a mask.

Given i work in the hospital, but still.

Wash your hands, wear gloves if you must. I would not be offended if a nurse wore gloves touching me or had me wear a mask if i was actively coughing.

[AJPV]

Strep throat is transmitted by direct contact with saliva or nasal discharge:

http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/strepThroat/Pages/transmission.aspx

[Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN]

I work in Emergency, and we see lots and lots of URIs and GI infections. I rarely get sick, maybe just a head cold once a year. I chalk it up to meticulous hand washing.

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

Strep throat is transmitted by direct contact with saliva or nasal discharge:

http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/strepThroat/Pages/transmission.aspx

Thanks.