Should I be worried about catching POX's?

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Feb 5, 2009

I was thinking I haven't passed boards yet but I'm intrested in pediatrics. I'm studing for boards and when I got to the chp on communicable disease I thought " I have never had chicken pox, mumps or anything ever" (except the flu.) Should I have the vaccine before I start working. I really don't want to catch chicken poxs from my pt.

I have to wonder how you got into college/tech school without showing immunity to MMR and Chicken Pox. And all of our clinical sites wanted proof from our school that we had all our immunizations up do date. When I started LPN school I had to prove with medical records that I had, had the immunizations and I had to show blood work that proved I had titers for immunity.

I'm a little confused when you say you've never had chicken pox, mumps or anything. Are you saying that you have never had the immunizations and your fearful of contracting the illnesses or are you saying that you have had all the immunizations but haven't ever had the diseases. If you've had the immunizations and never gotten the disease (the whole point of the immunizations) you really shouldn't have to worry as long as you have titers drawn to show antibodies to the illnesses.

If you've never had any immunizations, I'd highly suggest getting them before working with peds (or any pts for that matter). Chicken pox can be horrendous for an adult to get.

k-love · Feb 5, 2009

Yes I've had immunizations I got them in elementry and I got my hep shots when I started nursing school.

kat7ap · Feb 5, 2009

You will probably need to receive another MMR if you haven't had one since elementary school. You can have blood drawn called a titer can determine your immunity. I would discuss this with your doctor and since you haven't had the chicken pox you may also ask if he/she recommends for you to get the chicken pox vaccine.

Fiona59 · Feb 5, 2009

The MMR has a booster given usually in 9th grade. We've had an outbreak of Mumps up here and pretty much everyone in the college age group was revaccinated.

The Chicken Pox vaccine is only good for 10 years and you'll need boosters.

DebanamRN, MSN, RN · Feb 5, 2009

You must have had your titers done prior to starting nursing school. Go back to the place where you got your physical exam and ask for a copy of your bloodwork. I keep a copy at home for my records.