I have shingles!! :(

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So I am about to start my third week of my first year of nursing school. I have been feeling really really lousy and in ALOT of pain.. Then the rash started. It's all across my left chest under my arm and across the left of my back. They're blisters :/ extremely painful can't even sleep or sit still! Went to my dr they said I have a nasty case of the shingles. I know all about the transmission of shingles and how you can't give someone shingles but if they come into contact with it that you could give them the chicken pox virus since that's essentially the virus that is causing my shingles and that it would be harmful to babies pregnant women and immune compromised people SO my question is what do you think my instructors will say? I am Soo nervous to tell them because I know it's a huge deal to miss class. I also work at the hospital I have nursing school at as a CNA. I have heard that different hospitals have different policies about working with shingles however since they're In an area that I can keep covered do you think they will have a problem with this? I can NOT miss school no matter how bad the pain I worked way to hard to get here :( any advice or insight would be wonderful :) thanks!

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Someone who has never had varicella (chickenpox) can rarely get it from someone with varicella-zoster (shingles). I would find out the hospital's policy in advance, but APIC's (Association for Professionals in Infection Control) guideline is to require employees to cover the lesions & avoid caring for high risk patients (immunocompromised, etc.) until lesions are completely dry and crusted over. I just finished studying this!

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Your school will likely require a notice that you are fit for duty and any restrictions from your PCP (such as lesions covered at all times, not so hard if they are on your trunk. Pretty difficult if they are on your face or hands/wrists). Your employer will likely refer you to occupational health for clearance. As the other poster stated, you will most likely be restricted from working with high risk patients and possibly L&D/nursery.

What did your physician recommenced when you were diagnosed? Did you tell your physician that you are in nursing school and working as a hospital CNA?

If YOU can work through the pain, and your physician feels that you can safely work in the hospital environment as a student and CNA you have your answer.

I would definitely secure the medical clearance from your physician before approaching your school instructors. It will difficult to argue if a licensed physician clears you with minimal restriction (i.e. lesions covered at all times, avoid contact with high risk patients). Plus there are huge public education campaigns out right now regarding shingles so there are less misconceptions about transmission and treatment than there were even a few years ago.

Good luck.

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Specializes in Ambulatory Surgery, Ophthalmology, Tele.

Hope you feel better soon. I know shingles is very painful. Good advice from above posters. :up: Take care of yourself, KayEnglish. :hug:

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

As the above posters said, contact HR and see what your hospital policies are.

I know you are nervous about telling the school, but even if you have to skip a semester, not telling would be much worse. If you tried to conceal it and were found out, I would fully expect you to be expelled. Not that I am saying you would be that dishonorable! I am just trying to encourage you to tell sooner rather than later.

Hope you feel better soon :hug:

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