Coworker w shingles... So annoyed

Sigir · July 2013

So my boss thinks she has shingles, but she won't. go. home. And she told us she will be back in tomorrow. I am so annoyed at people who are sick and won't leave the office. Look lady, you're not so important that we can't do without you for a few days. Please stop exposing us all to your germs.

According to my research as long as you had chicken pox or the vaccine she will not give you anything, but I only had a mild case of the pox. Ugh... I don't want something to be worried about so please go home, lady!!!

End rant.

bethLenell · July 2013

Is your company big enough to have an HR department because she is putting you and your baby at risk not to mention co workers. It's not like she has a cold it's freaking shingles!

notkateanymore · July 2013

Is shingles contagious the whole time you have it or only for awhile? Maybe she can't afford to take off? That sucks, but it does happen.

Tigger & pooh · July 2013

If you had a case of chicken pox you are already carrying the shingles virus. If you had the vaccine I believe you are immune to it.

Londonsmybabyboy · July 2013

Shingles is contagious. You can still get shingles even after chicken pox vaccine. They do have a shingles vaccine but I want to say its for the older population. Stay away from your boss and wash hands frequently. Shingles are very painful.

SoMoNY · July 2013

When I worked at the IRS we routinely sent home pregnant women, with pay, if there was somebody with shingles around.

GTown08 · July 2013

I've never had chicken pox or the vaccine (dangerous while pregnant, I know). I also am not immune, as they tested for antibodies when I found out I was pregnant. However, my father got shingles numerous times when I was a kid (like, at least two), and I was still around him, taking him coffee, etc. I've never gotten shingles. So, I think that so long as you keep your distance from your boss, you are probably ok. Especially since you've had chicken pox.

mightymousy · July 2013

Londonsmybabyboy:
Shingles is contagious. You can still get shingles even after chicken pox vaccine. They do have a shingles vaccine but I want to say its for the older population. Stay away from your boss and wash hands frequently. Shingles are very painful.

You can't get shingles from someone if you've already had chicken pox or the vaccine. Having the virus in your system can cause you to get shingles at some point [often triggered by high stress] but it won't be from being exposed to someone with shingles, you already have the virus.

lp0 · July 2013

I thought if you've had chicken pox then the shingles virus is already in you and you can get it. Shingles is very contagious and very dangerous to pregnant women. If you have an HR department I'd run in there immediately if not the I would tell my boss if she's not staying home then you will. Is there a boss above her you can talk to? You shouldn't have to go without pay or use personal/vacation days because she won't stay home.

mightymousy · July 2013

My aunt recently broke out in shingles and was terrified to risk my pregnancy so she spoke to her doctor, did a lot of research, and had me research it too before she would go anywhere near me. Someone with shingles can only give the virus to another person if that person had never had chicken pox or the vaccine, and only if that person touches the open sores. If you've had chicken poxs you can get shingles, but it won't be from your boss, you already have the virus in your system and it can come out as shingles at any time on it's own, often triggered by stress.

GTown08 · July 2013

So, here's what I've learned from this thread - we DON'T KNOW ABOUT SHINGLES! Stick out tongue

So, OP, I would call your doctor, see what he or she says about shingles being contagious, and depending on what the answer is, see if you can work at home or at the very least work somewhere far away from your boss if they won't let you stay home without taking sick or annual leave.

Londonsmybabyboy · July 2013

That's funny because I'm not allowed in any shingles room in the hospital I work at. I do have the chicken pox antibody, never had chicken pox. So I was exposed some how. They are contagious if the sores are open. We isolate them because of this. You're less likely to get them though if you been vaccinated or had chicken pox.

redmond_steph · July 2013

I had shingles a few years ago and my dr specifically asked if I worked with anyone pregnant. I did at the time and was told I needed to stay home until it was no longer contagious so that I would hopefully not pass it on to her. I also work in HR and we have a policy that anyone with shingles MUST stay home until their dr tells them they are no longer contagious in case they work with anyone pregnant who has not disclosed their news yet.
If your boss will not stay home when sick, then you need to talk to your HR dept about taking time off yourself

Mac2588 · July 2013

I have had chicken pox twice and shingles. As pp said, at work we isolate patients with shingles and I would not take care of a patient with shingles.

Londonsmybabyboy · July 2013

Yes, I'm a bit confused on my information. That's what I mean she is still at risk because she has not had virus or vaccine. Sorry.

HereWeGo2014 · July 2013

FWIW - I see there are concerns with Chicken Pox while pregnant and potential birth defects, but did not see any birth defect conerns, etc from Shingles. Can anyone confirm this?

Ohiomama2013 · July 2013

Definitely talk to your doctor.
I work in a ICU where I'm exposed to all sorts of lovely germs. There are actually very few things we won't assign a pregnant woman to care for. Meningitis and shingles are the only two we really worry about. Generally, if you've had chickenpox it's not a problem, but being pregnant weakens your immune system. So there is an increased chance of getting it, although it's still unlikely. Also, shingles are supposed to be contagious only until scabs form. The main concern lies in the fact that if you do catch it during pregnancy it can be devastating.
Our solution in the ICU is that this Pregasaurus will never be assigned to a patient with suspected or confirmed shingles. I will not even darken the door of their room to help out a fellow nurse. Recently a coworker had shingles and was not allowed to return to work until all of it had scabbed over and he was released by a doctor. Even then, we were deliberately assigned to opposite sides of the unit and didn't work together until it all cleared up. Call your doctor.

BootsOrHearts · July 2013

That really sucks. My FIL came over the other day with pink eye. I was like WTF was he thinking?

Sigir · July 2013

Op here. We all have unlimited paid time off, so there is no excuse for her not to stay home. From what I read, like a pp stated you have to touch the open sore to be exposed, so the risk of exposure is low. It's still super annoying that she won't just stay home!

If she is back in tomorrow I am going to call my OB for their input. I know they did a ton of tests initially so maybe they even already tested me for antibodies.

Eta my OB was still open... They said I am ok as long as I don't touch the sores.

nicholssquared · July 2013

Sigir:
Op here. We all have unlimited paid time off, so there is no excuse for her not to stay home. From what I read, like a pp stated you have to touch the open sore to be exposed, so the risk of exposure is low. It's still super annoying that she won't just stay home! If she is back in tomorrow I am going to call my OB for their input. I know they did a ton of tests initially so maybe they even already tested me for antibodies.

1. I'm giving your boss the side-eye because she has a cast-iron excuse to stay home and unlimited paid time off, and she's choosing the come into work? Seriously, who does this? I might be a lazy @ss, but I wouldn't.

2. IMO, it doesn't matter how likely it is that you'll contract shingles (or anything else) from her. She has a contagious viral infection. She has a moral obligation to stay home.

3. If she won't stay home, call your OB about it, then go to HR and demand they do something.

GL! Stay healthy!

Mommy128 · July 2013

Sigir:
Op here. We all have unlimited paid time off, so there is no excuse for her not to stay home. From what I read, like a pp stated you have to touch the open sore to be exposed, so the risk of exposure is low. It's still super annoying that she won't just stay home!

If she is back in tomorrow I am going to call my OB for their input. I know they did a ton of tests initially so maybe they even already tested me for antibodies.

Eta my OB was still open... They said I am ok as long as I don't touch the sores.

Yup. I agree. I'm a physician and I can't avoid patients. I see a new case of shingles about once every 2 weeks. I've never had chicken pox, which means I'm more at risk. But, the good thing is as long as you are not immunocompromised, you are fine. Wash your hands frequently and wipe down any shared space, where your boss may have spread her lovely virus, by touching her open sore and then Touching a computer, etc. Don't freak out, just be extra cautious.

mae141 · July 2013

Cashingn2:
Londonsmybabyboy:
Yes, I'm a bit confused on my information. That's what I mean she is still at risk because she has not had virus or vaccine. Sorry.

And some people still don't carry the antibodies even if they've had it before, which is why some [though rare] do get the pox twice. Seriously, no matter what, I'd get checked for the antibodies.

Yep, I had chicken pox twice as a kid.

BreeIsbell · July 2013

bethLenell:
Is your company big enough to have an HR department because she is putting you and your baby at risk not to mention co workers. It's not like she has a cold it's freaking shingles!

This. You have every right to make an anonymous tip to an HR rep to explain that it's an unsafe work environment for you and your unborn. They should keep your information in complete confidence and deal with the situation quietly.

Eggerkr · July 2013

Yikes! This doesn't sound pleasant not to mention dangerous!

ChiSoxMama · July 2013

I know I'm echoing what some have said but YES you can get shingles if you've had chicken pox. I've had it. As long as you don't come in contact with your boss' blisters you should be totally fine.

Sigir · July 2013

well, she's back! and she has it, officially! I just don't get people. Besides me, being pregnant... what about any others who have not had chicken pox yet that work in the office? I am going to limit my contact with her, that was the advice my ob had. I will just tell her that is what my ob recommended. Not a bit problem, because she is annoying the hell out of my lately... but that is another issue!

lisab613 · July 2013

I can't believe this person is still reporting to work. If you get unlimited time off, can YOU take off? I mean, she should be, but if she wouldn't, I think I'd consider doing it if I were you.

It seems really irresponsible of her to keep coming to work even when she knows she has it. I mean, not just for your sake, but like you said, others in the office. It's really not worth the risk.

Sigir · July 2013

ITA. My boss's boss actually said something to her about it, and she got VERY annoyed. She told me her doctor said it was ok to go to work. So far, my ob gave me the ok to just limit contact w her and wipe down anything she touches, so I am doing that. Just another thing to add to the 'reasons she annoys me lately' list.

utlawgirl · July 2013

That's effed up that her BOSS even talked to her and she still won't go home. I get it -- she's very busy and important and apparently a workaholic -- but there is such a thing as telecommuting if sh!t still needs to get done. How selfish. Time for HR to get involved, IMO.

OP, glad you got some good advice from your OB and are feeling more comfortable (if justifiably annoyed) at the situation.

nicholssquared · July 2013

How annoying! This lady is obviously uptight and kind of blind - if she won't even take a talking to from her boss. It wouldn't be BSC to get HR involved if you feel you need to, but if you and your OB are comfortable with your plan, then persist in it and GL!

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