kristina Posted July 1, 2011 Posted July 1, 2011 I have had a member of staff call me to say she has shingles, she feels fine in herself and would like to come in on Monday. Am I right in thinking that as long as the area is covered then she is fine to do so as the contagious aspect is actual contact with the blister rather that air born like chicken pox? Kris Quote
HappyMaz Posted July 1, 2011 Posted July 1, 2011 I just checked the Guidance on Infection Control poster published by the HPA and it says that you should exclude "only if rash is weeping and cannot be covered". It also says that there is a risk of it causing chicken pox in those who haven't already had it, and that there's a risk to pregnant women. Quote
mundia Posted July 1, 2011 Posted July 1, 2011 Shingles can be incredibly debilitating so although she says she feels fine now, she may not on Monday. Probably better to let you know then rather that make a commitment now that she's fine. Quote
lynned55 Posted July 1, 2011 Posted July 1, 2011 We had a member of staff signed off for a week by her GP with shingles last year because of the risk of others catching CP from her. Quote
diesel10 Posted July 3, 2011 Posted July 3, 2011 Hi You can catch chiucken pox from shingles. I don't think I would be very happy as a parent if a member of staff had shingles and my child caught chicken pox especially this close to the holiday season. Quote
catma Posted July 3, 2011 Posted July 3, 2011 Personally - wouldn't she have seen a doctor to get a diagnosis and therefore could either be signed off or have a fit note that either says she can work or cannot? http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/2584.aspx CX Quote
kristina Posted July 4, 2011 Author Posted July 4, 2011 The doctor told her that provided the rash was covered then she was fine to return to work, I checked on the HPA website and it does say that if the rash is on the body and can be covered then return to work/school is fine, if the rash cant be covered (ie on the face) then the incubation time is 5 days from the start of the rash same as chicken pox. She wasn't in today but back tomorrow as she can cover rash as on her body and also 5 days have passed, I did put a letter out to parents just to let them know. Kris Quote
sunnyday Posted July 4, 2011 Posted July 4, 2011 I am pleased, but very surprised that she is feeling well in herself........Mr S had shingles many moons ago when he was a comparatively young man and was ill for three months.......have known of several other friends, relatives who have been similarly affected....... Quote
Guest Posted July 4, 2011 Posted July 4, 2011 I had shingles in 1996 and still suffer with constant pain around the area where the rash was. Some days it feels as if I have been kicked in the side. As others have said - only contagious if rash is weeping, otherwise you can only contract shingles after having Chicken Pox yourself. Core Quote
sunnyday Posted July 4, 2011 Posted July 4, 2011 I had shingles in 1996 and still suffer with constant pain around the area where the rash was.Some days it feels as if I have been kicked in the side. Goodness - poor you........Mr S has been 'lucky' then...... Quote
Guest jenpercy Posted July 5, 2011 Posted July 5, 2011 I understand that it is very important to get treatment early to aviod problems Quote
Guest Posted July 6, 2011 Posted July 6, 2011 My dad had shingles last year. It affected his face, his head and his eyes. He still has terrible pain now, as well as dodgy vision caused by it spreading to his eyes. Its a real nasty one. Quote
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