Possible Chicken Pox Exposure

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My boyfriend's son may have chicken pox. I had it when I was little, but can I still carry it? I'm starting my Peds and OB rotations next week...

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Specializes in NICU, Psych, Education.

Best to talk to your doctor and/or your clinical instructor. We can't get into these issues here. Good luck this semester!

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Specializes in Urgent Care NP, Emergency Nursing, Camp Nursing.

Didn't you get the vaccine/titer done before starting clinicals?

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

Chickenpox is an infection caused by the varicella zoster virus. Once you've had it you are immune from ever getting it again except in some cases where people can become reinfected with the virus and develop herpes zoster (shingles). You must be exposed to someone with the actual virus to initially get the infection. There are no "carriers" involved.

Since you had Chickenpox as a child you will be welcome with open arms on the Peds and OB units of the hospital where you are doing your clinical rotation. You are no danger to your boyfriend's son. And unless your immune system is faulty, he should pose no danger to you.

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