Wow, I just read the post from the poor guy who is suffering so badly with a cold. Those of us with heart failure and AFib have to be extremely careful not to catch something. I've had an auto-immune lung disease for 30 years, and now since I have AFib and heart failure, I have to be even more careful than I was before. A cold or flu can easily turn into bronchitis, which can turn into pneumonia -- and that could kill us. DO NOT BE AFRAID OR EMBARRASSED TO TELL THE PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE THAT -- HEY I LOVE YOU, BUT I DON'T WANT YOU ANYWHERE NEAR ME WHEN YOU ARE SICK. Keep some masks and gloves by the door, in case you get a visitor you aren't sure of. Better to look silly with a mask and gloves on ala Michael Jackson than to catch something from somebody. And wash your hands and face immediately after all visitors even if they don't appear sick, after touching the mail or the newspaper, immediately after returning from going out, etc -- those germs are on everything everywhere.. My biggest fear at flu time is taking a taxi -- God only knows who was in there before you, leaving their germs all over the place. Those of us with AFib and other heart problems cannot be too careful! Fortunately I work at home on the internet, so I never have to deal with an office full of potential virus bombs. But if you do, keep sanitary wipes handy and use them, and wash your hands whenever you have the chance.
Don't Get A Respiratory Infection ! - Atrial Fibrillati...
Don't Get A Respiratory Infection !
Spot on post, goldey. I agree with everything you write but people look oddly at me when I produce my Dettol wipes for my hands after using those filthy card readers at supermarket checkouts! Same with deliveries - sign, then wash hands.
I caught my awful dose in spite of taking ultimate care - but it does pay to be vigilant.
You should have seen the looks my husband and I got when we donned masks the last 3 times we flew back to the UK in winter 2017. But we did not catch anything from all that recycled air !
NEVER BE EMBARRASSED ABOUT PROTECTING YOURSELF. Your health is much more important than what some strangers think about you. Heck, it probably gave those other passengers a great story to share and laugh about with their friends after the flight.
Wise advice Goldey.
I had the Aussie flu last year, lost a stone in weight over two weeks and can say I've honestly never felt so ill in my life. The thing I hate touching most of all is the handle on a shopping trolley, it must surely be laden with germs! I wash my hands as soon as I get in, put my shopping away and then wash them again. Three times I've seen people sneeze over supermarket shelves. I used to be against the packaging on fruit and veg, but sadly I'm not anymore!
Of course we do need to build up a resistance to germs too and hiding away from some contact with them is not a good idea either.
Jean
With respect, I think the title of your post and the content may be a little alarmist. I agree that chronic respiratory disease and significant heart failure can make respiratory infections serious and occasionally lethal. I’m not sure that is true with uncomplicated AF per se.
Colds and flu are apparently nearly always spread by inhalation. The respective viruses can survive on surfaces, particularly hard surfaces for some time, but apparently lose their ability to cause infection in a matter of hours generally.
My guess would be that people with AF and no other heart or lung problems, with a healthy immune system, and not physically frail or very elderly, are not usually at significant risk of life threatening complications from the flu or a cold.
But I can see that a face mask reduces the chance of picking up or spreading a respiratory virus, which is often unpleasant.
I am not a doctor or nurse. Only your own doctor can give you medical advice. In your particular situation though, what you do seems very sensible.
Edit: goldey was aiming his post at people with AF and heart failure. Please regard my comments as relevant only to people with uncomplicated AF. Apologies goldey and others.
I learned something new yesterday. I am a member of a sewing group also attended by a very frail person with terminal cancer. As I am still coughing I wondered if I was still contagious as I would hate to pass my nasty virus on to her. I discovered sadly that I am as long as I have symptoms, though worst just before symptoms appear and for the first few days.
Btw, cold and flu viruses are quite fragile but noro can survive for weeks on surfaces 😱
I agree with oyster. Sounds like you are allowing yourself to be a victim. Take this info seriously and get informed and get your body strong. Don't freak out -- you will get colds and flu's but they won't last as long or turn into other things. Eat, sleep, meditate, supplement well and you should be a tough cookie!! 
Hi Goldey I shop in the early morning when the shops are almost empty and wash my hands the moment I arrive home.
Last year my brother who also has P-AF and is on Warfarin contracted a respiratory virus and was very ill. His INR levels became very chaotic and he had to go back to having regular monitoring for Warfarin for months. I think it pays to be cautious...
Two of my grandsons are at nursery and the third newly started school - and cesspits they all are too (I jest!). Seriously, since having grandchildren I have never picked up so many colds and viruses, as have their parents. However, as Buffafly says, the virus is often passed on before avoiding action can be taken as the sufferer doesn't know they have it. I use 'First Defense' nasal spray before flights, perhaps I should use it before going out too.
Contracting pneumonia caused my heart to jump out of NSR. Had take the poison Amiodarone which complicated exist hypothyroidism. Two Cardioversons got me back and fine for 10 months. Went to visit a relative who had a filthy cold ended up with a cold and chest infection. No longer in NSR and will have to go through the same process again. Although I will not swallow Amiodarone ever again. I totally agree avoid anyone with a cold. Don't let them in your home. If you have to travel on a bus or train wear a mask. I should have hurt my friends feelings by not going but had not seen her in a year. I have heart failure too but will never have the flu jab again. I was given it with a phneumonia jab. Was severely ill in a couple of days. Just wash my hands a lot, avoid eating out and use a straw if I buy a drink out. Cook all my own food from scratch.
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