Is Nursing for me if I get sick often?

[MiaNJ]

I just started a nursing program, and am enjoying the courses..but now have doubts if this profession is for me.

I am generally very healthy, but get acute bronchitis at least every year. This is even with the Flu shot, that I got in Nov.

My doc said I have acute bronchitis, but it's not bacterial. It's viral, and I just have to deal with the symptoms..but even with medication, the cough is hard to control. Sometimes during the day, I have to cough for several minutes.

I also use albuterol and this helps somewhat, but I've had this cough for about 3 weeks now. I've read that for some people with acute bronchitis, the cough can last weeks.

I know I got the virus from others in school who were sick. They seem ok now, but my cough persists..which is why I hate getting sick.

My doc said it's just the way my body deals with it and i just have to 'wait' it out..while using albuterol and some cough medicine..which don't always work well.

So now I wonder what would happen when I'm working with patients who have a cold..and I seem to get it easily. Even if I wash my hands, etc..since it's a viral infection and I seem to get it just by breathing air close to others that are sick.

I don't want to be a nurse who coughs for weeks..and risk getting my patients sick..or other nurses, etc.

I really want to be a nurse and enjoy caring for people, but if I get sick every year for weeks ( I can't take all that time OFF work)..is nursing the profession for me?

I know how sick I get with bronchitis but I didn't think of this when applying to nursing school, since I was so interested in studying nursing.

But now in my first semester, and having this cough for so long..I am sadly wondering if I made a mistake in entering nursing.