When does it become a problem...

nuttybunch

Illnesses are going around my work. So far, most people have had colds ranging from moderate to severe. The most recent person to get sick now has pneumonia. She's out today--supposedly getting started on antibiotics--but I don't know when she's coming back.

When does it become a problem for me to be working around them? This is kind of a rhetorical question. I don't really NEED an answer because I can't just not show up for work. These people have been fairly good about staying away from me, but I work right outside my boss' office, and they're always talking to him over here. I really don't want to get sick, especially with something like pneumonia.

Hi725

I would find out what kind of pneumonia it is. You can't catch bacterial pneumonia, that probably just resulted from a cold that your co-worker could not shake off. If it's viral pneumonia, I would be slighlty more concerned.

Get lysol wipes and wipe everything down a few times a day. Get teh spray and spray doorknobs, copy machine buttons, anything everyone else touches. And make sure you wash your hands a lot too.

mrsg052904

I know what you mean... I've been around sick people and really don't want to get sick.  I did get a small sinus infection, but thanks to a humidifier and vicks vapor rub, it wasn't too bad and didn't last long.

I've been taking an extra vitamin c (doc said it's ok) and drink Emergen-C when people around me are sick.  My doc also approved Emergen-C... it's a powder you mix with water, comes in different flavors, and provides extra vitamins.  I swear by them.  Good luck!

mrsg052904

After posting, I just sneezed!  Looks like I am going to drink an Emergen-C now! 

amberwc

Get a mask.  Also, my dr. approved Zicam so be ready when / if you do start coming down with it.

BabyMamaErin

hand sanitizer is your friend.

and any antibacterial wipe...

VAannie

Short of hermiting yourself at home the remainder of winter, I don't think there's much you can do.  Get a flu shot if you haven't already, use hand sanitizer/wash your hands often, and get plenty of rest and eat a balanced diet.  And remember that bacterial pneumonia/bronchitis/strep throat, etc. are just as treatable when you're pregnant as they are when you're not; my mom had pneumonia at six weeks pregnant with me, and she and I both turned out okay.   

DEBBIE33CASEY

You should always be as carefuly as possible but keep in mind those people like me who work in a DR office where we have people coming in with colds and worse EVERY day.  We get sick yes, but we also have healthy babies.  One of the nurses on my floor even told me today a cold is a good way to strengthen your immune system.  So even though colds are a horrible nuissance, especially when PG, it's nothing that will harm the baby.

nuttybunch

Like I said, there's really nothing I can do about it. I can't take a sick day if someone else is sick, although I wish I could. I would rather just not get anything. I know this stuff is treatable, but being sick while pregnant is probably not very good for you OR very fun. The colds I'm not so worried about, as DH has had one for about 2 weeks and hasn't gotten me sick. It's just these people I work with who all seem to be getting something bad.

It's more of a vent than anything. I don't want to get sick, and people working with illnesses is likely to get me there. But I wouldn't stay home for a cold, so I can't expect them to.