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 ICU, telemetry, LTAC.

One of the most miserable people I've ever met was a lady with a nice massive shingles outbreak all down one leg and in her genital region. (unilateral but at that point does it really matter?!) She was covered in sores, had a UTI, an ileus, and a few other problems. The ileus was from all the pain meds she had taken and the lack of food consumed (too busy scratching, crying, and taking pain meds). I mean holy cow. She went to surgery with a note to anesthesia to PLEASE give her an epidural for a couple days so she could get a break from the pain! Listening to this lady cry was heartbreaking.

The pain is real, folks. No matter how you got it. Oh, and shingles can show up in the genital region all by itself sometimes. People who treat those with it need to not get all snotty and remember that the person is still human, feels pain, and doesn't want their provider (or anyone else) to look down their nose at them. When my gift from heaven showed up (sarcasm here), I wanted to know what the bejeesus it was, because one required certain conversations with my husband and one didn't. Both are managed about the same, yes. My nurse practitioner and I didn't get along too well during that conversation.

Oh and it really did turn out to be a gift because I got the message that the job was too stressful and things needed to change. It wasn't a very obvious message to begin with, though. As far as work went, I had a week off at first, and when outbreaks reappeared, I was off for several days each time. I avoided patients on neutropenic precautions, and didn't take any of the postpartum moms, and for a while was religious about running the toddler visitors out by way of telling their parents they didn't need to be around that particular virus. They were all understanding. We got patients with shingles and/or herpes fairly regularly and I wound up taking those more often so the young moms I worked with didn't have to.

Overall my coworkers were supportive. I wonder though, if they'd have been as supportive if my virus were the herpes variety, eh? I keep hearing this statistic that 1 in four people today have been exposed to it.

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Too much info.

My exact thoughts. And why would she broadcast another co-worker's business like that? How rude!!!

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Specializes in Day program consultant DD/MR.
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.

It does not matter how the info was shared or the context of the conversation. What does matter is this is a major HIPAA violation. Even if you knew the person or worked with them at some point. It would be a different story if you were currently working there and these people chose to share thier medical conditions with you.

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:twocents: Hi all, I agree with the opinion of private things should stay private.:nono:
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Specializes in SICU, NICU, Telephone Triage, Management.

Your good friend needs to look up the meaning of "confidentiality".

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Specializes in Pediatrics (Burn ICU, CVICU).

Hmmm...If she talks about her co-workers private business to others, just imagine how she must talk about her friends to others.

Personally, I don't think I would ever trust her with anything I didn't want being spread around.

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Specializes in MDS RNAC, LTC, Psych, LTAC.

I agree and where I used to work they wanted you to be dead and my new job which I love I had some car accident issues and spoke of it to my coworkers some of them being LPNs and NAs and I was told by my management that I was hurting my authority by admitting to financial troubles after a bad car accident... I would think they think I am human and have issues like everyone else, but I don't like to share personal health info as it tends to get gossiped about but some jobs I have had they want a doctor's note with reasons and then still can try to can you about missing... guy probably just wanted to justify his absences... sounds like.

Where I work, the statement, "I can't come in, I am sick"-just does not fly. We to have to prove how ill we are by describing in detail the situation. About a month ago I was floated to another dept. to cover shift. The NM let me know "Nellie nurse" was out because she was having a heavy period and had "soaked 3 pads" before 6am! Good Lord!

I let her know Nellie's problem was none of my business nor was it hers!

Maybe this guy feels the need to justify his absence.

Last year my grandfather died and I let the DON know I would be taking 4 personal days to travel out of state and attend his funeral.

I was called to administration. The big cheese wanted to know if I was "really that close" to my grandfather and needed to go.

People never cease to amaze me:smackingf:smackingf:smackingf

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I didn't read the whole thread, but I firmly believe that an outbreak of genital herpes is a valid reason for calling out sick. From what I understand herpes is uncomfortable and painful. If I was in pain I don't think I would want to be taking care of patients all day long.

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Specializes in Med/ surg,ortho.onc,supvsn.

Yikes,,,Lol......Maybe it was a joke????

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To the original poster, it is very disturbing at your lack of professionalism and compassion, regardless of what this person called in for. I personally can attest to the agony and pain of an outbreak and would wish it on anyone.

To the RN who asked whether we can spread herpes to our patients: We are not contagious at work and can not spread it to our patients; so please do your homework before posting that sort of comment.

Nobody, regardless, of health status, deserves to feel like any less of a human being.

:nono:

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As a nurse leader let me say first it's against the law to require a reason for calling in and secondly that charge nurse should be shot :nono: for putting this out there. We are in the profession of compassion!

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As a nurse leader let me say first it's against the law to require a reason for calling in and secondly that charge nurse should be shot :nono: for putting this out there. We are in the profession of compassion!

Is that state or federal? Because it sounds like a lot of places require a reason.

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