Wellness

[Chemistry Teacher]

As some of you know, I went to the dr on Friday with a swollen, red, painful ear. I also had lumps on my neck. Dr didn't see much to worry about. He gave me an antibiotic to fight the ear infection on the outside. He said the lumps were my swollen lymph nodes. By Sunday, the lumps were really painful and my ear wasn't much better, so I called him at home. He prescribed the steroid predn isone. It's now Monday evening and I am conviced that I have SHINGLES. The raised lumps have turned into little patches of bumps and are now on my neck and face. The left side of my face feels like it's on fire!!! I am sleeping with ice packs on my neck and face. They are starting to iittch like crazy. I plan to call my dr tomorrow. Any advice? Am I contagious to my kids? I'm also a teacher in an elementary school. When can I go back to school? UUUGGGHHHH!