Nurse w/"Shingles"....??

[lLiNAx]

Hi ya!! I'm Lina. . .and I just turned 17 this Sunday, May 11. (Yep, I was born on Mother's Day too!! I'm a momma's baby!! ) Well...at the end of last summer, the doctor diagnosed me with "shingles." *woOoh* -it was a very painful experience for me. For those that are unfamiliar with the term, it is the reactivation of the Herpes Zoster Virus, aka chickenpox. I still have the nasty scar on my neck and it has been inactive for the past 7 months. However, today I was experiencing a tingling sensation near my first scar and two bumps, in which I assumed were pimples. I at first thought of it to be nothing because I was used to the postherpetic neuralgia. My doctor checked me out, and diagnosed me AGAIN with shingles. -it's tingling as I am typing-

Yes, what a great birthday gift!! I am not allowed to be near my 6 week old nephew for about a month, not even in the same room. My sister is afraid. We're waiting to see if anything happens to him because I, ignorant of the reactivation, was playing with him yesterday. My sister tells me that there is an incubation period of 3-7 days. You nurses may know what that means.

Ok, ok...my main point is: I didn't believe shingles may occur more than once. -Will my having shingles affect my chances of becoming a nurse in the NeoNatal Room (baby unit)?? I'm not yet a nurse, obviously I'm still in high school, I'm just afraid and concerned that this may jeopardize my future choice of career. Sorry, this is wayyyy too long. Should this be a problem? or am I overreacting??

[Vsummer1]

Anyone who has had chickenpox can have an episode of shingles. It would be impossible to deny everyone who has had chickenpox from working in the hospital....

However, just as with a cold sore (another herpes family member), if you are active you stay home from work. As simple as that!

On another note, in order to pass the medical for the nursing program you must provide proof of immunization or titers showing antibodies to chickenpox. I am not of the generation that was provided with the vaccination for chickenpox, so I had to have the titer done. Yours will show antibodies so off to school you will go!

Good luck, and I hope you feel better. I hear shingles REALLY hurts!

[busybeaver]

Lina, I had an episode of shingles about 4 years ago, which also left me with a few pox scars on my back. It was so horrible and painful I thought I would lose my mind!!!!! I have also heard that you can only have it once.?. I'm very interested to see the replies. I never want to go through that again!

[memphispanda, RN]

Shingles is one of those things that you may have once and never see again, or you may have it again and again during times of stress. I would be asking questions of the doctor--like why are you repeatedly having this problem. My oldest child (now 12) had shingles when he was 8, but we know he has a bit of immune deficiency. He managed to infect all the children in my home daycare with chicken pox.

ANyway, you should be being treated with Zovirax and possibly a painkiller also. If you aren't, then ask your doc for some medications!

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

It can recur under times of stress. And the elderly are susceptible to children with chickenpox.

My sister has herpetic keratoconjunctivitis which she contracted while working as a teachers assistant. Stress brings it out as does bright light, other illness and any one of a myriad of things.

Good luck. Get the suppressive medication if it is recommended.