Really bad fever blister. Should I call in?

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I have a REALLY bad fever blister from being Out in the sun too long. It's terrible. I'm embarrassed about it. Should I call in?

sorry, this is more of a thread hijack, nevermind

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Once you've had an episode of herpes infection, the virus lies dormant in nerve cells in your skin and may emerge as another cold sore at the same place as before. Recurrence may be triggered by:

  • Viral infection or fever
  • Hormonal changes, such as those related to menstruation
  • Stress
  • Fatigue
  • Exposure to sunlight and wind
  • Changes in the immune system

Cold sore Causes - Mayo Clinic

Fever blisters are caused by herpes simplex virus type 1. It lies latent (dormant) in the body and is reawakened (reactivated) by factors such as stress, sunburn, or fever from a wide range of infectious diseases including colds. Recurrences are less common after age 35. Sunscreen (SPF 15 or more) on the lips prevents recurrences of herpes from sunburn.The virus is highly contagious when fever blisters are present.

Fever blister definition - MedicineNet - Health and Medical Information Produced by Doctors

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Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.

If the first post, the OP said she was 'embarrassed' by it. That alone is not enough to call off. If there is a facility policy about not being at work--then the OP would have to call off (not an L&D nurse here--I had no idea that such policies existed, but obviously they do).

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I've gone to work with a black eye and that was no fun. You have my sympathy. I had no idea cold sores were a legitimate call-in reason in some circumstances. Now I know!

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Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

Um yes, I realize this. I only used pimple as an example since OP said it was an aesthetic issue as to why she was going to call in.

It's not the same thing as a pimple. It is viral in nature and that virus can be spread to others.
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Um yes, I realize this. I only used pimple as an example since OP said it was an aesthetic issue as to why she was going to call in.

Yeah, but it appears that she may be an L & D nurse. If I were a laboring mother, I would not want someone with a contagious fever blister caring for me and potentially handling my newborn. I wouldn't know for sure how careful she was with hand hygiene, etc.

If this is a herpes simplex outbreak, I hope the OP wore a mask and was pristine with regard to hand washing.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a virus that usually causes skin infections. There are two types of HSV: HSV type 1 usually causes small blisters on the mouth, eye or lips (cold sores) and HSV type 2 usually affects the genital area. HSV infection in newborn babies can be very severe and can even cause death. This is because newborns' immune systems are not fully developed.

I get that L & D nurses are probably gowned and gloved and all that good stuff, but a laboring mom might still be uncomfortable with this, and I am sure that is why many L & D units have policies about this.

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Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

perhaps if op provided a few details, all of our speculation would be for naught

Yeah, but it appears that she may be an L & D nurse. If I were a laboring mother, I would not want someone with a contagious fever blister caring for me and potentially handling my newborn. I wouldn't know for sure how careful she was with hand hygiene, etc.

If this is a herpes simplex outbreak, I hope the OP wore a mask and was pristine with regard to hand washing.

I get that L & D nurses are probably gowned and gloved and all that good stuff, but a laboring mom might still be uncomfortable with this, and I am sure that is why many L & D units have policies about this.

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Specializes in Neuro, Telemetry.

I understand all this and it wasn't why I asked OP to clarify. You can get blisters (not cold sores of the herpes variety) from bad sun burns. Even on the lips. The difference between a sun blister and a cold sore is the coloring of the fluid. Also, once the blister drains, it heals like any other blister vs the scabbing and yellowing of a herpes blister. Originating from California, I have gotten blisters on my lips from severe burns. Living in a dryer and hotter state currently, I don't stay in the sun long enough for it to happen.

It it seems the majority are under the assumption that OP meant herpes blister, so I am thinking non herpes lip blisters aren't that common and maybe OP should have just called in for the cold sore.

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I understand all this and it wasn't why I asked OP to clarify. You can get blisters (not cold sores of the herpes variety) from bad sun burns. Even on the lips. The difference between a sun blister and a cold sore is the coloring of the fluid. Also, once the blister drains, it heals like any other blister vs the scabbing and yellowing of a herpes blister. Originating from California, I have gotten blisters on my lips from severe burns. Living in a dryer and hotter state currently, I don't stay in the sun long enough for it to happen.

It it seems the majority are under the assumption that OP meant herpes blister, so I am thinking non herpes lip blisters aren't that common and maybe OP should have just called in for the cold sore.

I live in Texas; we get a lot of sun here, but I have to admit I haven't ever heard of "sun blisters" on the mouth. I vaguely remember getting some kind of rash on my chest once after a bad burn, but never on my lips. In any case, if they look like typical herpes blisters (have no idea), it's probably not the best face to put forward on an L & D unit.

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery.
How are sun burned lips viral in nature?

OP, we need clarification. You said fever blister from being in the sun. While a fever blister is herpes and that would possibly be a reason to not work around newborns, being in the sun can cause blisters from sun burn. Is yours a herpes blister, or sun blister? Because I may change my response accordingly.

It's a HSV-1 blister. Sun exposure irritated the epithelial lining of my skin giving the virus the perfect oppurtunity to cause a blister :(

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery.

My concern is more so my patients comfort and safety and less so my own embarrassment.

It's an active HSV-1 outbreak that was exacerbated by sun exposure at the water park. I have been using abreva and lysine supplements. It seems to be healing well, but is still painful and weeping. I am scheduled to work tomorrow night and friday night. Hopefully it will be at least a little better by the time I'm supposed to go in.

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Specializes in Oncology.
*L&D nurse butting in* I just want to state for the record that it is written unit AND hospital policy at my place of work that you are not permitted to come to work on the L&D/nursery/postpartum floors if you have an active, open cold sore. So no, she's not being a wimp here. This kind of policy actually does exist. Not at every hospital, but at my current one and a lot of others, it is policy.

On our BMT unit you're not allowed to work with a cold sore either. Want to know how strictly that's enforced? Not at all. In 8 years I've seen one person sent home for a cold sore. Other people wear masks.

But she said this is from the sun and she wants to call in due to embarrassment.

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