Shingles?

[Cat365]

I'm confused. My hospital recently had a shingles patient that we placed in an isolation room on airborne precautions. I understand that a shingles patient can cause chicken pox in someone who has not previously had the disease and I followed all precautions when entering or leaving the room. However my concern was not for myself, it was for my other patients. I have already had chickenpox and had a titer drawn recently to check my immunity. My coworkers on the other hand were in my mind overly anxious. Am I missing something about the risks?

[YoutubeTheNP]

The risks are for people who have not had chicken pox yet like children, and pregnant women (fetus). The virus on the rash sheds and can become Airborne/Droplet. Read the CDC guidelines. If you already had chickenpox or the vaccine you usually have nothing to worry about.

[BostonFNP, APRN]

I'm confused. My hospital recently had a shingles patient that we placed in an isolation room on airborne precautions. I understand that a shingles patient can cause chicken pox in someone who has not previously had the disease and I followed all precautions when entering or leaving the room. However my concern was not for myself, it was for my other patients. I have already had chickenpox and had a titer drawn recently to check my immunity. My coworkers on the other hand were in my mind overly anxious. Am I missing something about the risks?

There has been some data that has shown possible airborne spread of zoster, so most all hospitals take airborne precautions. This is especially true in the immunocompromised where disseminated infection can occur.

[Cat365]

Thank you for your response. I was not worried. In my private life I have dated and had a close family member with shingles. It was the level of concern exhibited by my coworkers I found puzzling and made me wonder if I was missing something.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

Thank you for your response. I was not worried. In my private life I have dated and had a close family member with shingles. It was the level of concern exhibited by my coworkers I found puzzling and made me wonder if I was missing something.

Those special snowflakes are everywhere. I once had a co-worker who would not go near a microwave- whether it was operating or not.