reassuring loved ones about infection risks

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So now that a nurse was diagnosed with Ebola I think my husband has gone into worry mode (I was honestly waiting for him to realize that these things are possibilities) but now that it has hit him that it is possible to be exposed(not even Ebola specifically just any infectious disease) he worries about that risk...He is the worrier in our relationship :D and I don't think that thought had crossed his mind yet (even though I knew it would eventually)

ANYWAY I was just wondering If anyone else has dealt with a loved one who worries like this and how you reassure your loved ones who have never been in the health care environment about the precautions that are taken and the low risk?

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Specializes in Neuro, Telemetry.

Ebola is hot news right now. It definitely warrants concern over, but not anything I would reconsider nursing over. Medical professionals should be hyper vigilant about infection control even without Ebola risk, but now that it is here, it is just a reminder to be careful. We cant stop everything from getting here. Ebola may have come from Africa, but in 10 years when we know more about it and how scary it is,. is a distant memory, there could be some new deadly virus originating in America. He just needs to know that while you are more likely to be in the presence of a deadly disease, you will be in a hospital or other medical facility with the ability to contain spread and protect yourself. He could touch a stair rail that someone sneezed on and contract something terrible. No matter what, disease is out there and you and him are almost equally as likely to catch something. Just assure him that you will do your absolute best to follow as strict of infection control procedure as you can.

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Thanks for the advice....I know him well enough to expect that the day would come when this would cross his mind....I just wish it was over something less dramatic than Ebola. I see it exactly like you said....and I'm sure he will get over his fears. I think this is a good way to explain it to him. :D

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Yes, healthcare workers get exposed to a lot of nasty stuff, but your risk of exposure is no greater than that of the public's. You could just as easily get it flying on the same plane as one of these infected people. Or sitting next to an infected person in class. And please don't read him that because I don't want him sticking you in a bubble!;) But measures are taken to keep staff as protected as possible in cases like this...of course nothing is 100%.

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Yes, healthcare workers get exposed to a lot of nasty stuff, but your risk of exposure is no greater than that of the public's. You could just as easily get it flying on the same plane as one of these infected people. Or sitting next to an infected person in class. And please don't read him that because I don't want him sticking you in a bubble!;) But measures are taken to keep staff as protected as possible in cases like this...of course nothing is 100%.

lol thanks...I just keep playing up the safety precautions taken.....I'm sure he'll be fine....I think the dramatic fashion that this Ebola situation is playing out (thanks to the media) just got his mind going on possibilities....got him thinking about things that he hadn't thought of so far. lol we balance each other out...I probably don't worry enough about most things...and he worries too much... :D

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My mother wants me to quit nursing school. I think not! I will be a nurse in 2 months. I decided to become a nurse to help people, not to run from those who need help.

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