Possible Chicken Pox Exposure

DOWNLOAD the allnurses Magazine Summer Issue!
Summer Article Contest - $600 in Cash Prizes!

by Nenja
Jan 18, '09   Views: 439   Comments: 3

  1. 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...
  2. Visit Nenja profile page

    About Nenja

    Joined: Aug '08; Posts: 33; Likes: 11

    3 Comments

    Topic Closed
  3. by EricJRN
    Jan 18, '09
    Best to talk to your doctor and/or your clinical instructor. We can't get into these issues here. Good luck this semester!
  4. by TheSquire
    Jan 18, '09
    Didn't you get the vaccine/titer done before starting clinicals?
  5. by Daytonite
    Jan 18, '09
    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.

close