Pregnant nurse around a 27 year old patient who had CMV virus when he was 7 y.o...

Published

I am an RN (and I'm 4 months pregnant) and one of my patients who was 27 years old & HIV+ had a past medical history of acquiring CMV when he was 7 years old and became blind because of it. I was told by one of the nurse practitioners that it would not be a problem to care for this patient as long as I practiced standard precautions.....

I am very worried that I was around this patient although I had gloves and a mask on while in the room (the pt was also + for the flu).

Am I driving myself crazy over this?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

A nurse practitioner that knows both you and the patient gave you advice. You can also consult with your obstetrician.

We cannot per ToS ask or offer medical advice. There are too many variables. Your OB would be your best source or your employee health department. Good luck

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Quit ASAP. I worked in a place where a prisoner tried to kick me n the abdomen when I was pregnant with my twins because he did not want me to start his IV. I was also exposed by a friend to the measles. Please don't listen to anyone else's opinions about what is safe for YOUR baby. BTW, my girls turned out fine and both physicians now.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I just posted a reply and now it's gone. I gave you sound advice. Best wishes to the OP.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Reproductive & Public Health.

I imagine the patient's immune status is a primary factor in determining the risk of CMV reactivation, and obviously I don't know your patient's viral load or clinical status. If the patient's HIV is well controlled, then I think the risk of reactivation is no different than with any other patient, and in that case I think it is reasonable for a pregnant nurse to take the assignment.

But I agree that you need to ask your prenatal provider.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Reproductive & Public Health.
Quit ASAP.

That seems like quite the leap, based on the limited information presented in the OP.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
Quit ASAP.

You're being quite cavalier with someone else's livelihood.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, PICU, educator.

You don't shed CMV forever, and I am sure he was treated when he was a child They can do a urine test to see if he is shedding or not, but most likely he isn't. He is considered CMV positive because he had it at one point in his life.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

Would depend on what it means that he acquired CMV. He may still have the sequelae from it, but do his titers show positive IgG/negative IgM? That means he's had a past infection and is not currently infectious.

What I'd suggest is having your own IgM and IgG drawn. OB offices can and will do this.

I had a patient years ago when I was in my first tri with my daughter whose baby was microcephalic and being tested for CMV. No one told me and I had taken care of this family for several hours before I had a chance to sit down and read the kardex to realize CMV was a differential. I traded assignments and talked to my OB a couple days later. He drew an IgM and IgG for CMV, and my titers indicated past infection/current immunity. This is the case for most adults, who will have an asymptomatic infection at some point. Still, I sympathize with your anxiety.

TL;DR - you're wise to at least have your own titers drawn and have a chat with your own OB.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion