Advice for teacher with chronic pneumonia
Hi folks, I’ve been working in childcare/early education for 3.5 years, and I have my associate’s degree in ECED. I love what I do, and I’m passionate about working with children and families.
I have gotten pneumonia FOUR times since working with children, and I have contracted some type of virus seven different times in the last year. I do everything right - I wash my hands constantly, I take my vitamins, and as soon as I get home, I take off my work clothes and shower. I’m to the point where my immune system can’t handle it anymore, and I’m going to have to start looking at other jobs until I can heal my system. I’ve had this same respiratory issue for a month. Not to mention, I’m also a caregiver to my mom (she lives with me), so I’m under stress constantly. I think my system is just rejecting the job entirely.
I’m curious if anyone else has been in the same predicament as me, and if there are any jobs in proximity to childcare/working with families where I’m even marginally less likely to contract something?
How does ABA compare in terms of viruses? What about doing in-home case management for DCS? I’m also considering working in an elementary school. Are any of these safe options? I want to continue building my career, but I’m not sure if I really can.
EDIT: for context, I am a 26 year old woman and have been working with children since I was 23