L&D Nursing with HSV1

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Hi! I'm brand new to this site, and I'm brand new to nursing as well. For years I've dreamed of being a nurse and working in Labor and Delivery. I'm finally beginning to work towards my dreams and am looking into nursing programs, but I have a very particular concern.

I have had HSV1 ever since I was a baby. I get a cold sore approximately 4 times a year. I've heard that working with a cold sore in Labor and Delivery is often prohibited. Does this mean nurses with HSV1 can't work in Labor and Delivery, or does it mean they can't work in Labor and Delivery during an outbreak? Is this something that will get in the way of my dream? Any answers would be greatly appreciated.

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How would having HSV1 stop you from getting a job? The only way you could transmit it to the babies is by kissing them when you have an active infection.

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How would having HSV1 stop you from getting a job? The only way you could transmit it to the babies is by kissing them when you have an active infection.

That I know. I still worried that, in the spirit of safety, hospitals might hesitate to hire someone with HSV1 for L&D positions. Perhaps I'm completely silly in thinking this?

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Never ever heard this as something to rule you out of working on L&D. 90% of the population in the US has been exposed to the HSV1 virus. It would be limiting an already microscopic pool of nurses down to practically none if they did that.

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Specializes in L&D/Maternity nursing.

I wear a face mask if I have an outbreak.

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery, Lactation.

Over 80%, probably close to 90% of the US population has a form of HSV 1 or 2. If you practice good and proper hand hygiene and don't touch your face, you will be ok. I have never heard of someone not being able to be hired because of HSV or working with an outbreak.

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Specializes in L&D, mother and child, antepartum, gynaecology.

In my hospital it wouldnt prevent you from getting a job. However during orientation they stress that you should call in sick if you have a cold sore. HSV can have very serious outcomes if a neonate was to catch it. However I do see nurses just mask if they do have one and practice good hand washing and they have not gotten in trouble.

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