Nurse calls in because of herpes outbreak

Nurses General Nursing

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My good friend is a charge nurse at the hospital I used to work at. She told me that a nurse called in sick because he had a herpes outbreak (genital). What the blank? Is that legitimate? I think I would rather have made something up like a cold rather than that..

Specializes in Med surg, Critical Care, LTC.

Many years ago while I was in the midst of a very nasty custody dispute with my ex - I got to the point where my stress level was off the charts, and I was diagnosed with depression - my provider took me out of work for a week.

I didn't want anyone to know why I was taken out of work, I didn't feel it was anyone's business - especially now that I was taking meds for depression. When I called in (we have a sick call hot line) I explained that I had been taken out of work for the week R/T illness, and I had a work note, I would be back to work on (date).

Occ Health called me EVERY DAY, NO EXAGGERATION. Wanting to know why I was out of work. I told them that "just like the patients we treat each day, I have the right to privacy, I gave you a note, what's the problem?"

I was told "we have to track illness to see if groups of people are coming down with the same illness. "BS" said I.

On the 6th day (them calling everyday really helped reduce my stress) in an exasperated tone, I was asked "Can you at least tell me if what you have is contagious?" I replied "No". They didn't call me on the seventh day.

My point in all this was simply that I would rather tell them of a herpes outbreak than a psyc diagnosis. BUT THEY HOUNDED me for no reason.

Why should a person with herpes be ashamed? Calling in with "chicken pox" (another herpes virus) is okay, same for shingles.

The fact that everyone is a sexual being, isn't a secret, and unfortunately, sleeping with a dishonest person (in my case) who never told you of the herpes, isn't my fault. Poopy happens.

I wouldn't hesistate to call in and tell the truth about a herpes outbreak, because they really can be debilitating. :twocents:

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Specializes in midwifery, NICU.
You can also give someone genital herpes if you perform oral sex with a cold sore.

:chuckle:chuckle Thats not a worry then in our profession, is it? Perhaps for another of the oldest professions in the world, but, be jees, I'm glad thats not in our contract anyhow!! :D

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Specializes in ICU.

hmmm to those that THINK genital herpes sheds only within underware let me bring up this point....herpes encephalitis is isolated.....wonder why that is?! may your ignorance of transmission keep you safe. :nono::banghead:

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.
hmmm to those that THINK genital herpes sheds only within underware let me bring up this point....herpes encephalitis is isolated.....wonder why that is?! may your ignorance of transmission keep you safe. :nono::banghead:

Herpes encephalitis in the adult is caused by HSV-1 in 95% of cases, from a previous infection, through the trigeminal or olfactory nerve tracts. It is very rare, and there is no evidence that it is transmitted from the genital area of those infected with genital herpes.

HSV-2 is a much bigger threat, to neonates, due to contact with infected cells during lady partsl delivery.

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Specializes in pediatric transplant.

As my mom (ICU nurse for 25 years) always told me when I stressed out about calling out sick as a student working as a Tech, it's none of their business why you're not coming in; all they need to know is that you won't be in today.

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The problem isn't that this person called in with HERPES the problem is the NURSE for telling other people. One should not be ashamed of herpes. I don't have herpes but I do have HPV and I refuse to allow others to make me feel like LESS of a person because of it. Bad things happen to good people, easy as that. We as a nation need to quit acting like we are five and thinking someone has "cooties" because they have something we view as gross. Maybe the problem isn't with the person that has it but with the person that has such an issue with the the person having it. OK I am stepping off my soap box for now.

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I agree... it is her private business and Nurses need to respect that. : )

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That is so unprofessional to give out personal information like that. Keep your diseases to yourself. The nurse who called in should know better than that.

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Specializes in ED, Rehab, LTC.

If I were the nurse who took that call. I would never have told anyone, that is absolutely horrible. Whether or not he chose to disclose his status to everyone at work was his choice, not hers.

If I were him and my job required a reason-okay fine, I would LIE. Absolutely no ones business at work. I think it is great that some people are okay with talking about it, bad stuff happens to good people. But I personally wouldn't have the guts.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Education.
My good friend is a charge nurse at the hospital I used to work at. She told me that a nurse called in sick because he had a herpes outbreak (genital). What the blank? Is that legitimate? I think I would rather have made something up like a cold rather than that..

I can't believe she would be so stupid. Let's just hope that whoever took the call didn't gossip about her at work.

Actually I don't know why we feel we have to give a specific disease process when we call in sick. "I'm sick or not feeling well" should be good enough. It seems like a confidentiality issue if your employer presses you for a specific medical reason.

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Specializes in oncology, trauma, home health.

I'm absolutely certain that nobody here disagrees that it was wrong of her to tell me. But for everyone on a so-called soap box, have you never worked 12 hrs at night and heard the gossip all around you?

And to be fair, the nurse in question is very open about his herpes. My friend, the charge, said to me "I sure wish you were still here, we have a ton of people out sick"

Me: "What's going on? I hope it's not c-diff" (ha ha)

Her"No Nurse X had her baby, nurses y & z have strep" and Nurse A is having a bout again with his herpes

Ok, probably wrong, it was not malicious gossip, ok, gossip maybe, but never malicious because on those long nights he would let us know how painful the disease is for him and we all had LONG discussions about our private issues, never mean, never gossiped about, just good, honest, the night is slow, we're all nurses and this has happened to me chat.

I really am sorry I shared it.

I think that some people are envisioning my old charge nurse who would have gladly picked up a phone to spread wicked words, this was not the case. Again, wrong, just not in a "OH MY GOD YOU"LL NEVER BELIEVE THIS" way.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Tele, DOU.
My good friend is a charge nurse at the hospital I used to work at. She told me that a nurse called in sick because he had a herpes outbreak (genital). What the blank? Is that legitimate? I think I would rather have made something up like a cold rather than that..

Ummm, IMHO, I couldn't envision your friend as having good character by the original post that was presented. :stone

I'm absolutely certain that nobody here disagrees that it was wrong of her to tell me. But for everyone on a so-called soap box, have you never worked 12 hrs at night and heard the gossip all around you?

And to be fair, the nurse in question is very open about his herpes. My friend, the charge, said to me "I sure wish you were still here, we have a ton of people out sick"

Me: "What's going on? I hope it's not c-diff" (ha ha)

Her"No Nurse X had her baby, nurses y & z have strep" and Nurse A is having a bout again with his herpes

Ok, probably wrong, it was not malicious gossip, ok, gossip maybe, but never malicious because on those long nights he would let us know how painful the disease is for him and we all had LONG discussions about our private issues, never mean, never gossiped about, just good, honest, the night is slow, we're all nurses and this has happened to me chat.

I really am sorry I shared it.

I think that some people are envisioning my old charge nurse who would have gladly picked up a phone to spread wicked words, this was not the case. Again, wrong, just not in a "OH MY GOD YOU"LL NEVER BELIEVE THIS" way.

As far as being sorry that you shared the topic, that is rather unfortunate. I'm glad that someone brought up the topic--herpes outbreaks. I found the pathophysiological discussion great. I learned alot and was able to provide conscientous care to a patient just within the short time the topic was posted.

For example, I think I may have encountered a patient who had healed hsv lesions on their hands. (I hope that makes sense? )

By the time I saw the patient this past Saturday, the pt had brand new pink skin. Very nicely healed over might I add.

I asked the patient what happened to their hands and they said that they gets sores on them sometimes: the sores come, break open, and go away eventually. The pt also described the sores as each one hurting. I've started watching my patients hands more carefully. I can't help but to wonder if this person had hsv.

I've learned that some labs test for both hsv1 and hsv2. I thought someone could only be tested for hsv2. I've learned more about giving compassion to friends, patients, and coworkers who have burned by this virus.

I've learned how infected people are stigmatized when revealing to their friends that they now have herpes. I've seen that happen too, just in the short time of this discussion.

I am very greatful to Babs for being so transparent and honest. That type of honesty, patience and kindness in the face of ridicule or judgment is what brings about positive change in the world. (Even when the change is slow--grassroots type.)

So, for me the pathophysiological and understanding gained from this discussion has been good.

Nurseby07, even if you didn't obtain all the information that you wanted, maybe other readers have been greatly helped by the discussion.

This is an online bullentin board. Everyone is entitled to their opinions/viewpoints. Anytime I post, I try to keep that thought in mind. It is not possible to convey all verbal and nonverbal information in a post. A reader can only fill in the blanks when the op doesn't provide all information.

I feel badly for the guy who called in. I think he should find another job where people will respect his privacy. He called in as required. Whether he reveals the real issue or not is now irrelevant to me. What is relevant . . . is that his privacy has been violated. :twocents: :stone

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