Cold sores, Allergies...d'oh?

[Ivangrozny2011]

Hey guys, short time lurker and first time poster, also a newly minted but not quite working EMT-B

So as I am preparing myself for my upcoming applications and job hunting, I start to wonder about random things. I get an occasional cold sore (oral herpes) on my lip, not too big and goes away in about 4-5 days...potential contamination issue? I figured a mask when on a call will suffice but any other thoughts?

Also, I don't know much about the effect of allergies on the body, but my regular doc once said something about my cat allergies making me more susceptible to certain virii etc....not sure how much I believe of that but I wanted to see what you all thought.

I have just about every type of immunization and prophylaxis you can imagine from my work in Africa and for the EMT course, but still, some scary stuff out there.

Thanks!

 

[vquintessence]

Hey guys, short time lurker and first time poster, also a newly minted but not quite working EMT-B

So as I am preparing myself for my upcoming applications and job hunting, I start to wonder about random things. I get an occasional cold sore (oral herpes) on my lip, not too big and goes away in about 4-5 days...potential contamination issue? I figured a mask when on a call will suffice but any other thoughts?

Also, I don't know much about the effect of allergies on the body, but my regular doc once said something about my cat allergies making me more susceptible to certain virii etc....not sure how much I believe of that but I wanted to see what you all thought.

I have just about every type of immunization and prophylaxis you can imagine from my work in Africa and for the EMT course, but still, some scary stuff out there.

Thanks!

I wouldn't worry too much about your cold sores; just be conscientious about contact and ensure hand washing when contact occurs. You won't be kissing many of your pts... perhaps a consult w/ your PCP and/or a Rx would help you? Acyclovir works wonders.

I bolded the part of your first post that essentially answered your own question. Seems like you already have your immunizations/vaccines/boosters (MMR, hep b, tetanus, etc), just add that good old EMT "BSI" that must have been hammered into your skull, and you should be off to a good start.

 

[Ivangrozny2011]

Thx

Awesome, thanks for the reply

That's some good points made, but what about cold sores (being open wounds more or less) making me more vulnerable to contaminants? I don't plan on GIVING my herpes to them, just if it would put me out of the game until it heals over?