My... wha?

Last Saturday. My intern calls at 9:30 am, when I am on my way out the door. Surprised, I fumble and drop my phone, and can't and don't pick up. She doesn't leave a message either, so I figure it isn't that important. At the station though, I decide I should check up on her. She picks up after a ring and a half, and frantically tells me she has rashes around her mouth and it hurts and that she has to go to the dermatologist but they are only open at odd hours so is it okay if she goes now and comes in at noon? Huh, well, sure, why not.

At 12:05 she calls, again, frantic, saying she is 5 minutes away from the office and is on her way over. Fine.

Ten minutes later she comes running in, out of breath, apologetic. Really, it's okay.

While making herself a cup of tea, I go ahead and brief her with developments on the project. She still nods and shakes and spills, but she seems a bit upset today, but I don't blame her. It does look painful around her mouth. It does look ugly. But I try not to look at it. We finish talking, and I give her some research material and get her to work.

"Oh." She suddenly turns around and looks at me with her unflinching eyes. "The rashes. I have herpes."

You... wha?? Her... wha?! I don't know what to say. So I ask the golden comfort question:

"Are... are you... is it... okay??"

"Oh, yes, the doctor told me it's something that could go away after a day. So I'm okay".

"Well, that's good to know. Very good to know. I, uh, appreciate you telling me."

Great. My intern has herpes.