Hi everyone, I hope some of you can give me some advice. I have scleroderma affecting my lungs and pulmonary hypertension. I have been told that another lung infection could kill me. I'm currently in hospital on a general ward to have IV frusomide to reduce fluid in legs.
A lady has just come to the next bed with pneumonia. Should I be worried about her Infecting me, or am I overreacting?
Any advice gratefully received
Mandy
Mandy121...I would freak! Oh my! Why would they put her next to you! I would request to go to a single room for your own safety!!! Hugs! Janet127
Thank you for the quick reply, I am freaking out a bitxxx
I would too! I am very protective of my lungs! Oh my! Nothing is over reacting when you have that going on! Demand to be moved or her! But I am in U.S. don't know the rules there! Hollar out to 2 greys...she will know what to do!!! Hugs Janet127
You’re vulnerable so no you’re not overreacting.
Whether or not the lady is infectious or not depends on what kind of pneumonia she has & whether or not she’s had any treatment before being admitted.
I wouldn’t be happy about this, at the very least you’d expect her to be masked up.
Voice your concerns with your Dr or a sister on your ward.
I've done that being ignored, can speak to Dr tomorrow!!
Powderpuff is on the right track. Presumably you have had the pneumonia vaccination which will protect you from the most common forms. Community Aquired Pneumonia is the most common form and you will be perfectly okay if vaccinated. It is understandable to be freaking out, given your condition.
My partner is a professional, senior carer in a nursing home and comes into direct contact with Pneumonia quite often with the residents and I have not caught it, even if it is me who has handled and washed her overalls.
My advice is to relax and do not worry. Getting stressed out can weaken your immune system. If she was highly contagious she would have been placed in isolation.
Thanks 2grays for the reassuring advice. I've had the pneumonia jab, but caught it again in January, so not sure how protected I am.
I will try and stay calm, I feel much better for the support from everyone here. That has helped me get my breathing under control
The vaccination does protect you but there are just some strains that it won't. If she had one of those strains then given your condition I cannot see the medical staff putting you next to each other.
Other people cannot understand what it is like to be vulnerable and the mental anguish that we suffer as a result, that includes a lot of medical staff as well unfortunately. Not their fault, unless they have been in that situation themselves. Here in this forum we all understand, but how can you put the feeling into words that truly explain the terror that some go through, often on a daily basis.
Thank you so much. I am much calmer now
Be sure to notice that staff is wearing rubber gloves and taking all sanitary measures if the same staff is treating both. I would be tactful, but I would not hesitate before asking if she is a threat to you. We have to advocate for ourselves. Best wishes.. J
Thank you, I'll remember that.
I was taken into hospital by ambulance in February and waited for hours to see consultant
They moved me to a ward and there was 3 ladies with Pneumonia and one with sepsis. They were coughing and one even had a fape cigarette puffing on under the sheets. When the Consultant visited I complained and he agreed .he ordered nurse to bring me a mask and drew the curtains around the bed. He agreed I would be better to be treated at home. All the nurses agreed also and kept the curtains around my head until my Husbabd and daughter came to take me home. It was disgusting all coughing around me. I complained and was well within my right. Sheila x
Few text mistakes. Kept curtain around my bed until my husband arrived. X
Trying to talk to a doctor but it's the weekend and there scarce. Staff don't seem to understand my concern
Mandy it might help you feel a bit more in control if you asked the nursing staff for a mask to wear yourself - just until you’ve able to see a Dr.
Thank you, good suggestion
Hi Mandy. If you are worried talk to the doctors . I have had pneumonia twice and have a sister in law with scleroderma who has visited of in hospital with no I'll effects . Try not to worry to much😟
Thank you for the reassurance
Hi Mandy 121,i would still have a word with the doctor as if she has a Cough it dose spreads so to be safe , you remind your doctor what you have and also what the lady has.
Better to be safe than sorry
sorry .
All the best I wish 🌠 you all the best.
Take care,
Susan 🐘
Some pneumonia caused by bacteria.,viruses can spread Fungal pneumonia does not. You are still in the best place to be looked after. I think she would be isolated if it was that bad. I get isolated a lot because I have superbugs apperently. I hope you get well and maybe already home. I have severe copd and emphasemia. Throat infections. I try to stay away from hospital but have an emergency bag ready, last time they gave me shampoo my hair fizzed up I looked awful. Get well soon.
Thank you, I've been told she's not infectious. It took 24 hours to get that answer. They've put me on antibiotics even though I don't have an infection.
Dr's seem happy, but I should see my normal consultant today, she won't let me be at risk when it's avoidable
Dear Mandy,
I just wanted to say that I also have scleroderma, with a lupus overlap, and pulmonary hypertension, and I totally understand the worry it brings.
Because I've had pneumonia twice ( although they think the last time was lupus pneumonitis, in retrospect), I now get the pneumonia jab every 5 years. A bit like the 'flu jab, it only protects against some strains of pneumonia, but still good to have it. I'm just really echoing what others have said.
As your post was 3 months ago, I'm thinking that hopefully the situation at the time has resolved now?
I just wanted to offer my support.
Take care.
Recovering from Pneumonia 
Pneumonia Vaccine for the Immunosuppressed
Severe Scarring From Pneumonia
Oxygen levels after pneumonia 
Permanent Lung Scarring from Pneumonia
