My client gave me bed bugs!

[Wannabenurseneko]

I have been working for this client for about few weeks , the client knew that she had bed bugs, but did not tell me anything ,I have been making up the bed changing the sheets . The client told me she's been having trouble sleeping because she gets a lot of pain during the night ,I ask her if she knows what's causing the pain and she blames it on her sickness which I let the job know , but for I noticed something strange she was washing clothes every week first it was one load then , but then loads started increasing every time I came there , all she wanted to do was wash clothes , the client has even told me that she even washes clothes when i'm not there and does it twice a each week .

The week before we wash 3 big loads of clothes ,by the next week she had 4 to 5 loads of clothes she wanted to wash . That's when it started every time I went to bed my skin would itch very badly then I started getting big bumps, and it kept getting worse and worse to the point that I couldn't get any sleep at all night i would get bites , when I woke up in the morning I saw the bed bug on my sheet . I was horrified at first I thought maybe my dad had brought it in , but then I remembered my client and the constant washing . I told my agency that I think she might have bed bugs , my boss then tries to say maybe it was me , but I explained to him that I have never had them in my home before until I started working for her . These bugs are a nightmare , I have vacuumed , sprayed and washed all my clothes and they are like zombies they just won't go away . Thankfully they have not spread to my parents room but they refuse to call a bed bug specialist ,so I'm currently fighting them on my own . I am frustrated and losing sleep , I am so upset that she didn't tell me anything and now my home is infested . I don't know what to do anymore , I just want a good nights sleep again .

[nursel56]

I'm really sorry that happened. It sounds awful. I think you should really pressure your parents to call the professionals. My understanding is that bed bugs are one of the most difficult infestations to eradicate.

Your agency refusing to acknowledge this problem exists is in reality not living up to their responsibilities to provide a safe home environment for it's employees. Personally, I wouldn't want to work for an agency like that and would look into public health protocols at the Department of Public Health for your state. You can find a lot of info there that at the least, you can share with your parents.

Don't do this alone! Wishing you the best.

[Persephone Paige, ADN]

Oh lawd! That's terrible! You poor thing, I'd be so upset too. I hope you get what you need.

[caliotter3]

At the least, I would insist on a new client case. At the most, I would find a new agency. Tell your parents that you will pay for the treatment. They don't want that problem spreading throughout the rest of the home and you could use the relief.

[Wannabenurseneko]

At the least, I would insist on a new client case. At the most, I would find a new agency. Tell your parents that you will pay for the treatment. They don't want that problem spreading throughout the rest of the home and you could use the relief.

I honestly forgot to ask for a new case and I feel stupid for it , my parents don't want anyone to come into the house and spray . I don't know what to do but I will ask again if I can pay for someone . Summer is approaching soon and I don't want this to get worse

[Wannabenurseneko]

I'm really sorry that happened. It sounds awful. I think you should really pressure your parents to call the professionals. My understanding is that bed bugs are one of the most difficult infestations to eradicate.

Your agency refusing to acknowledge this problem exists is in reality not living up to their responsibilities to provide a safe home environment for it's employees. Personally, I wouldn't want to work for an agency like that and would look into public health protocols at the Department of Public Health for your state. You can find a lot of info there that at the least, you can share with your parents.

Don't do this alone! Wishing you the best.

I've been thinking of going to another agency I think I might as well do it and I'm really . It sucks that my parents don't want me to bring anyone to take care of it I'm tried of sleepless nights .

[rnhopeful82, ASN, RN]

In my old apartment, I had 2 cute little old ladies who lived across the hall. Their nurse told one of them to visit her neighbors when her roommate went out. She was sitting on my couch one day and said we have bugs! Yup, she gave me bed bugs. I had welts all over me and i found one on me (EEEEEK) and put it in a ziplock bag and brought it to the leasing office. They had my apartment, the old ladies apartment, and another apartment treated. It was HORRIBLE. I had to wash every single thing I owned and when you don't think you have any clothes to wear, but you need to wash them ALL, you realize you have more clothes than Macy's! Luckily I only had a few bugs and they were only on my couch. The treatment was steam I think, I don't think they did any spraying of any kind but I highly recommend you do not continue to go to her house unless she has it treated and marked clear and that you have your house treated, too. They don't die on their own and can live dormant for what seems like forever. Good luck!

[caliotter3]

If your parents lived in an apartment complex, the management should do the treatment for free but I think I read somewhere that it costs at least $1000 to have a house treated. You could look for the products online, (the professional products), and order it yourself for much, much less than paying exterminators to do it.

[mwilsbsn]

Professional treatment is usually necessary, but I would hold off until she is removed as your client, or you'll likely end up with a reinfestation.

[Wannabenurseneko]

In my old apartment, I had 2 cute little old ladies who lived across the hall. Their nurse told one of them to visit her neighbors when her roommate went out. She was sitting on my couch one day and said we have bugs! Yup, she gave me bed bugs. I had welts all over me and i found one on me (EEEEEK) and put it in a ziplock bag and brought it to the leasing office. They had my apartment, the old ladies apartment, and another apartment treated. It was HORRIBLE. I had to wash every single thing I owned and when you don't think you have any clothes to wear, but you need to wash them ALL, you realize you have more clothes than Macy's! Luckily I only had a few bugs and they were only on my couch. The treatment was steam I think, I don't think they did any spraying of any kind but I highly recommend you do not continue to go to her house unless she has it treated and marked clear and that you have your house treated, too. They don't die on their own and can live dormant for what seems like forever. Good luck!

I washed all my clothes and I still have them , I am going to have to do it again I heard steam is one of the best treatments for them .

[Wannabenurseneko]

If your parents lived in an apartment complex, the management should do the treatment for free but I think I read somewhere that it costs at least $1000 to have a house treated. You could look for the products online, (the professional products), and order it yourself for much, much less than paying exterminators to do it.

I'm gonna see if I can get some products to kill them so far they are only in my room because my parents sleep fine , I've been vacuuming the house every other day.

[Wannabenurseneko]

Professional treatment is usually necessary, but I would hold off until she is removed as your client, or you'll likely end up with a reinfestation.

I honestly don't want to go back there at all, my job wants me to write a statement so they can give it to human resources, I will refuse to go back I don't want a re infestation in my home my job said it might not do anything because it's been a month since I've seen her but , in actuality it's only been 2 weeks since then .