Maybe a strange question...

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I was hoping to work in neonatal after graduating and even pursuing my MSN with neonatal specialty. Today I woke up with a knot in my lip and I am afraid it is a cold sore. I've never had one before so I'm not sure and am hoping it is a pimple. I have no idea how could have contracted it (I'm celebate and don't use public fountains or anything like that). I'm totally stressed right now that having HSV-1 could disqualify me from the field. I'm actually near tears here. Am I correct in thinking that people with cold sores probably aren't allowed to be around babies?

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Specializes in NICU.

Um, I hope not, since I have cold sores and I've got a job lined up in a Level III in the fall...

Just about EVERYONE has HSV (quick check on google said 50-80% of U.S. pop has it, according to herpes.com), BUT some people just don't present symptoms because they are lucky. My sister gets them when she's stressed out and I get them if I burn my lips.

In any case, you shouldn't breathe directly on neonates anyway, so I think you should be fine. But this is coming from a new grad RN--any experienced folks want to agree/disagree?

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I have been a nurse for a couple of years and have never heard of such. You should have nothing to worry about. Good Luck to you. ;)

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Specializes in Med-Surg, ICU.

As said before! The majority of us have HSV-I and a huge generation is coming up with HSV-II! What is it 1 out of every 4 people have HSV-II.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, educator.

It won't exclude you from working, but each hospital has a different policy on it. Where I work, if it is open, you can't work until it is crusted, then you have to wear a mask until it is gone. Breathing on the kids isn't the problem, it is the possiblity for you to touch your face without thinking and then touch other things.

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Specializes in Nurse Scientist-Research.

Take a deep breath already. Hey I understand, when I was in school I thought I wouldn't be employable due to my poor sense of smell from nasal allergies. I know several nurses with fever blisters. They don't work until the sore crusts over, it's not a big deal.

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

No big deal. Just be prepared to protect your patients when you do have an outbreak. A lot of people I know had great luck with Abreva. You are more likely to give a baby a cold than HSV I.

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