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?

Specializes in Labor and Delivery.

I called my manager and it is definitely against policy to work around laboring women and children with an active HSV-1 fever blister. It's still in he "weeping" phase so it's still contagious. I'm kinda bummed out because this is my last week on orientation:(

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery.

Thanks everyone for your input!

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Thanks everyone for your input!

My dear, please communicate clearly. You threw us a curve. I hope you feel well soon.

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Specializes in Crit Care; EOL; Pain/Symptom; Gero.

A number of years ago I took report in ICU on a Friday evening at 7 pm from a nurse who had a fever blister/cold sore on her lip that was the size of a dime.

By the following Wednesday, I had shingles.

While I had been taking report, I recall thinking to myself that it didn't seem too wise to be providing patient care with a giant fever blister.

That nurse apparently had shed her virus all over the patient's room, and probably all around the unit.

I ended up on acyclovir, which cost $60 out of pocket in 1990. It was not covered by my employer's insurance at that time, as it was associated with treatment for genital herpes, and was regarded as a condition that an individual was supposed to be able to prevent, behaviorally.

Anyway, I did have to use sick time, and missed work. The infectious nurse? Her fever blister had dried up and she was permitted to continue working with no mandatory sick time.

So, yes, stay home - or at least find out your institution's policy.

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Specializes in Neuro, Telemetry.
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 :(

Then I retract my first comment lol.

Having cold sore changes things. Especially around itty bitties. I hope if you called out, they were understanding.

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery.
My dear, please communicate clearly. You threw us a curve. I hope you feel well soon.

I'm so sorry. I definitely should have conveyed this fact at the beginning of this post.

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I cannot believe that someone compared a highly contagious, weeping cold sore to a common pimple. I think some of you should google facts before you comment on here. Yeah, tell her to go into work highly contagious because you can't believe she would call in for something so trivial. Good grief!

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery.
*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.

Greetings, sister!

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Wear a mask and wash your hands. If you are really concerned, go to employee health/urgent care and have a doc evaluate that you're safe to work.

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

I too was a bit confused by your OP...my apologies.

I work in an ICU, and was told explicitly by EOHW that we could not work with a weeping HSV lesion. Hope you heal up soon!

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
I cannot believe that someone compared a highly contagious, weeping cold sore to a common pimple. I think some of you should google facts before you comment on here. Yeah, tell her to go into work highly contagious because you can't believe she would call in for something so trivial. Good grief!

Did you read the OP? Apparently not. She said she had a fever blister from the sun, leaving us unsure if she had a cold sore or sunburn. If it was a sunburn it would be equal to not wanting to go to work because of a pimple - since she was afraid of how she looked.

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HSV is very contagious and just a casual swipe to the outbreak (even with a glove on) can infect someone else. I happen to know someone personally who contracted HSV during L and D, full initial onset 6 weeks postpartum. This is not a manner of vanity.

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