hospitals and cold sore policies

[miss.bandaid]

My hosp employee health nurse told me via phone consult that no staff, especially direct patient caregivers, are allowed to come to work with cold sores. My nurse manager says that because we do not work with immuno-compromised patients(psych), that this does not apply to us. I called in sick for a shift because I feel it is more important to go with what employee health says is the policy. My concern is, what do you all think is acceptable practice? At what stage can I go back? My lesion is at day 3 right now, somewhat crusted, red, and painful. Is that what the health nurse meant by "active" lesion? Funny thing is, I hadn't had a cold sore in 8 years, then 3 days after our unit clerk came to work with a cold sore I had an outbreak! Coincidence?

[chris_at_lucas_RN, RN]

Sounds like you are caught between your NM and employee health! I'd ask for clarification..... probably from the NM, since he or she is the one to whom you must answer.

Check out acyclovir. A friend used to get cold sores all the time, started using that stuff, not a single outbreak since. You may not get the same result, but the stuff apparently does work....