Would you avoid visiting a sick relative in the hospital?

amdraza · June 2011

I just found out that DH's 95 year old grandma was admitted to the hospital for Pneumonia. My first instinct was to go with DH to visit her, as she is getting up there in age so this could really be serious. However, I was just doing some research on Pneumonia and found that pregnant women are much more susceptible to it and if spread to them it could be very harmful to the mother and baby.

Would you consider not going? I feel horrible for even thinking about it, but I'd hate to put the baby in jeopardy. WWYD?

dinonugget1517 · June 2011

Yeah I would NOT go. And I don't think you should feel bad about it either! Anyone involved will totally understand!

TanyaKM · June 2011

I would not go either. It sucks, but I wouldn't take the risk.

TheLastCall · June 2011

I wouldn't go, it's just not worth the risk to you and your baby. If it were a cold, it would be one thing but pneumonia is pretty serious in all situations.

Fisherman'sWife · June 2011

Yea I would totally not go. If it does get serious, then maybe stop in with a mask on.

MrsCase1 · June 2011

i wouldnt go. i used to volunteer in a hospital and even if it is not the patient you're seeing that you contract something from, you could be exposed to other ailments from other patiens and visitors. not worth the risk. feel no guilt whatsoever.

dollydagger · June 2011

I would go, but definitely wear a mask. I work/worked in a hospital though so maybe I'm not as sensitive to worrying about things like that? I don't know lol not that there is anything wrong with being overly cautious!

rookiemom9 · June 2011

Don't go. My brother was in the hospital for shingles and I didn't go see him. He was the one who asked his doctor before he even told me about it, since I had seen him a few days before his outbreak at my shower. The family will understand, hope she gets better.

JennyAnne022776 · June 2011

Another vote for not going, and I'm sure DH's family will understand. I'm sorry she is so ill.

plumag · June 2011

I wouldn't go. I actually was in a similar situation a month or so ago when DHs grandma was also in the ICU with Pneumonia. I didn't go with him - and in fact he would not let me or my DD go (he's a med student). I supported him as I could from home and ran errands for the family as I could. Everyone understood why I wasn't there and fully agreed.

sapphirewolfkdv · June 2011

I wouldn't go. You can send your best wishes with your DH to visit, and I'm certain that the family will understand why you can't be there. My Grandma's sister, who I absolutely love, is battling leukemia and I haven't been able to visit her in the hospital once because of the radiation treatments. It sucks, but she understands and no one faults me for it. You need to think about your safety and your baby's, and pneumonia can be very serious.

abailey1823 · June 2011

Its your choice and I would consider the condition his grandmother is in. If they feel she will recover then I don't see the point but if she has a poor prognosis I would go especially if he is close with her. I work as a registered nurse on a medical floor and I have at least one pneumonia patient a week. That being said I have a fantastic immune system, so in your case you should wear a mask for your safety. I have had a very healthy pregnancy so far. I did get an upper respiratory tract infection at 30 weeks that was miserable but other than that no other illnesses. Now someone mentioned shingles. That you should never come in contact with while pregnant. Shingles are transmitted via airborne precaution and pregnant women should not put their babies at risk to that. I am never assigned to patient's with shingles, suspected TB, meningitis, or other airborne precautions. So like I said in the beginning if she is expected to make a full recovery I would just stay home but if she is not then I would go and ask hospital staff for a mask!

amdraza · June 2011

Thanks everyone! I just found out from my in-laws that she is in pretty good shape. They just admitted her to give her some fluids, but she has no other compliactions. Because of her age, they want to watch her for a couple of days, but she should be okay.

On top of that she doesn't want visitors (I think she's crabby about being in the hospital), so I will not be going.

sunandsurfmama · June 2011

No. Too much of a risk. I am sure everyone will understand.

You could send a card or flowers with DH.

sugabooga · June 2011

Not looking to start trouble or anything but as a pregnant RN who works in a hospital it's okay for you to go visit sick people depending on their condition. Given her age, it may even be a mild case that they would like to treat with closer supervision.

It's different scenarios if she is in ICU or on a regular floor- if she came from a nursing home or lived at home. You need to look at the whole picture and find out her condition and if she is on any isolation precautions. Otherwise just be sure to wash your hands frequently and properly. There are only a certain few patients you shouldn't come into contact with- one of those being a patient with shingles.

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