I have Shingles

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Specializes in Med Surg, Parish Nurse, Hospice.

I need some help or advice. I started the new year off with a case of the shingles. Woke up yesterday morning with a quarter size rash on the back of my neck- it is hard to examine that area yourself. Went to urgi care this am and saw a doc. The diagnosis was shingles. I don't know where I picked this up, but I could have had it dormant in my body for a while. I have started on valtrex. The doc at urgi care said I was not contagious. I called my job and waiting to here back about my working status. I have been trying to research my status as to wheter I'm contagious or not. I work on a med surg floor with mostly elderly, debilitated pts. Has anyone else had shingles? Did you work? I appreciate any help in this matter. The last 3 years have not been my best years and I was hoping this year ws going to be better, but now I have my doubts. :o

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Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

I prefer tile roofs. :)

Just kidding. Hope you feel better, soon.

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Shingles is caused by the varicella zoster virus, which initially causes chicken pox. The virus stays dormant in your system and can later reactivate and cause shingles.

Shingles IS contagious until your blisters form crusts. You can't give anyone shingles, but you can give people who have not been exposed to or vaccinated against the virus chicken pox.

Keeping your blisters covered can help prevent the spread of the virus.. but if you work with elderly patients, I wouldn't want to risk going in to work on the off chance that someone has never had chicken pox. Adult chicken pox can cause serious, sometimes fatal complications.

Shingles can also be pretty painful, so just keep than in mind as well. You may not feel well enough to work anyway.

At any rate, I'm sure your manager will have an opinion on your situation. Until then, try to rest and just take care of yourself!

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Specializes in ED, psych, burn ICU, hospice.

5-Minute Clinical Consult: "Zoster patient may transmit virus-causing varicella (chickenpox) to susceptible persons."

Sorry about the start of your new year!

Sounds as though this was caught early, so it should be getting better. I know it is on the back of your neck. If anything, might just be worried about infection of those lesions, but make sure it stays away from your eyes!

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I had shingles a couple of years ago, if you started valtrex early you are lucky, (I did too). but I wan't allowed to work until all of my blisters dried up.. I felt horrible for a few days ..... almost like I had the flu.. achy, tired soo tired.. so I couldn't have worked any way... but.. it is contagious especially to elderly etc..

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Shingles are NOT contagious if the scabs are closed. I had shingles about 3 months ago. It's painful and it stinks. BUT, if you started the Valtrex right away, they should clear up in a few days. Also, i was under a LOT of stress at the time, and sure enough I found out that the virus is dormant can easily be brought back on by stress. (since you mentioned you havent had the best few years lately, this is probably why it surfaced). Hopefully you'll feel better soon!

--Lauren

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Shingles is very painful... and very itchy. I had shingles in April 09 and the affected area is still itchy/numb/painful. You are fine to go to work if the lesions are healed (no oozing). I found ibuprofen the only thing that helped, although I did apply acyclovir ointment, which seemed to limit the extent of the lesions. I can empathize... shingles hurts!

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Specializes in Nurse Scientist-Research.

Just flat out ask your supervisor. Different units & hospitals have different standards. Pretty much every kind of unit has the potential at least to have patients with compromised immune systems. Some units are stricter (like NICU, transplant, chemo and I'm sure a few others).

My unit will not allow one to work with non-crusted fever blisters, and I've never asked, but I'm sure any shingles blisters would need to be scabbed over first, then covered until they are completely gone. I believe that was the standard we used once for a mom with an outbreak of her shingles.

One thing that helps us is we have very strict standards for visitors and pretty much anything that keeps a visitor out, will disqualify us from working.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

i've had shingles several times -- on my face. it's painful and you feel absolutely miserable. so plan to take a few days to just rest. i think i sleep 20 hours a day the first few days of a bout of shingles. you have my sympathy!

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Specializes in acute rehab, med surg, LTC, peds, home c.

I would go straight to oc health with the question of weather to work or not, skip your supervisor, she may have a different agenda. Shingles is brought on somewhat by stress. Take a few days off and relax anyway. Sorry your New Year started out this way, hope it gets better.:icon_hug:

It is a really sad commentary that nurses are so stressed out we are getting shingles.

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We isolate patients with shingles on my unit unless all scabbed over and staff who have never had chicken pox or positive titer can't take care of them and I am sure the same would go for staff.

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