Starting school tomorrow...just came down with shingles!!!

Stephalump · Jun 5, 2012

I cannot believe it. I'm starting school tomorrow and I just came down with the shingles....AARRGGHH!!! What do I do? I can't miss school, it's an accelerated summer program that's only 8 weeks. Do I go to school wearing a mask so I don't accidently infect anyone who hasn't had chicken pox? I can't drop out, it'll set me back an entire year if I do.
The doc thinks I came down with shingles cause I'm so stressed out (switching careers, just moved to a new state, getting married in August, starting school...yeah, a LOT on my plate!)
I'm supposed to be in school tomorrow from 8 AM to 4 PM. Decisions, decisions....

Oh my gosh! So you're starting actual nursing classes tomorrow? Or pre-reqs? If nursing classes, was varicella a mandatory immunization?

Do you have your instructor's email address? I think I'd go ahead and shoot him/her an email about it and see what try advise.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jun 5, 2012

We can't offer medical advice. I think you need to talk with you physician about treatment...there are meds to take. I am surprised that they didn't order any. I would also e-mail the school of the school and the hospital may not allow you to do bedside care on patients while you are active.

Shingles, while is from the chicken pox virus, it is actually a herpes zoster.......the mode of transmission is very different.

Shingles Information Page: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

CDC Features - Protect Yourself against Shingles: Get Vaccinated

It is the rash that is contagious and while it is open and draining you are contagious. You need to check with your school their policy.

:hug: RELAX....it will work out. good Luck in school

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · Jun 5, 2012

I'm starting pre-reqs, but I am taking Phlebotomy. I'm hoping this won't exclude me from the class now. I've sent an e-mail to the professor to see what I need to do.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Jun 5, 2012

Check with your physician and the school nurse/medical officer. I have a former coworker who contracted a severe case of chicken pox from a client with misdiagnosed shingles (they thought it was dermatitis or herpes). She had some pretty severe complications.

Like Esme said there are now medications that can be used for treatment, please contact your PCP to discuss your options. However, being set back a year is much better than knowing that you caused someone else to become severely ill by going to class/clinicals. It's tough. Life is not fair, but your health and the health and safety of your classmates and your potential patients need to be a priority.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Jun 5, 2012

I'm starting pre-reqs, but I am taking Phlebotomy. I'm hoping this won't exclude me from the class now. I've sent an e-mail to the professor to see what I need to do.

You may need to check with more than just your instructor as depending on their credentials they may not know the exclusion criteria, so be prepared to follow up with administration and the designated medical official. Email is good, but also follow up via phone call. Check with your PCP to see what they recommend as if your PCP excludes you from patient contact you then have your answer. You can also try calling your county health department. Some areas have restrictions greater than general recommendations due to infection & vaccination rates. Good luck.

rubato, ASN, RN · Jun 5, 2012

I can't offer any medical advice but just wanted you to know how sorry I am for you. Of course, if you can stay in the class somehow, you need to do it. But, I wouldn't want you to go to school and infect someone. Does your prof have an online class? Maybe you could start that way and then switch over when you're healed?

:hug:

newbtonursing · Jun 6, 2012

Good Suggestion about possible online class rubato! Nearly everything seems to be able to be done online anymore. I sure hope they can work something out for you. Hope you feel better soon!!!!