Hand Foot and Mouth

[Hilaryb93]

Hi I was diagnosed with CLL in March this year so still trying to get my head round it all. But have learnt so much from this site. I’m on W&W and have blood test booked for next week (3 months after diagnosis) and consultant appointment the week after. My granddaughter, who I normally look after on Wednesdays has got Hand foot and mouth, should I keep away from her this week? Thanks x

[Walkingtall62]

Hi, if it was me I would stay away from anyone with any kind of infection. But that’s just me. Take care

[lankisterguy Volunteer]

Hi Hilaryb93,

-

All of us with CLL have some degree of immune suppression.

The older we are,

the longer we have had CLL,

the lower our IGG levels,

the more likely we are to contract bacterial, viral or fungal infections.

-

And unfortunately, like we see with COVID-19 viral infections, the young children can get the disease, have a few sniffles and recover quickly.

When we immune compromised CLL patients get the same disease (often from those same kids) we have far worse symptoms, that last much longer, possible hospitalization and higher risk of death.

-

So, avoiding exposure to any disease now, is the best way to have many future wonderful days with your granddaughter.

-

Len

[Poodle2]

I would probably stay away too but having said that, I have CLL and my kids get all sorts of things - hand foot and mouth and chickenpox to name a few we had the pleasure to deal with recently. If you can, stay away for a week or so until the scabs heal.

[Hilaryb93]

Thank you all for your replies, I have decided not to see my granddaughter tomorrow and hopefully by next week I can see her as normal . X

[DriedSeaweed in reply to Hilaryb93]

Wise choice. It isn't fun...

[THeyaffler]

Hi Hilary, I strongly agree with the other comments re avoiding contact with anyone, if possible, that has a transferable infection. I was diagnosed with CLL 5 years ago, watch and wait for 4 years, now on treatment. However this did not prevent me recently having a fortnights holiday in Greece. I did confer with my consultant before booking this holiday and he was all for it. Apart from having periods of tiredness, CLL is just a nuisance factor. One impact for example that it has on me is that I liked walking in the country 8-10 miles now I can only manage a couple of miles. However I am nearly 80 years old and perhaps I should recognise this fact.

Take care and may you have a long 'watch and wait'

Regards

😆😆

[W00dfin]

Yes stay away. During my WW I apparently contracted this childhood disease from one of my child therapy clients.

[Billhere]

Good morning 93,

I think it depends on how old your grandchild is and how careful you are. That particular virus requires physical contact as I recall, it’s not particularly airborne. You might want to check that. We have young children and they have had that, and many others, that we never contacted. And we live with them. The bigger issue are cold viruses and of course Covid.

Regarding Covid, this is the biggie for us right now. Are you vaccinated, have you had all your boosters, have you taken a blood test to verify you are developing antibodies?

If your grandchild is really young did you take your DTaP vaccination to protect them?

Also while I am on vaccinations, remember that the pneumonia vaccine is important for us as well as the shingles vaccine.

Preparation and making sure we have all of our vaccines yes top priority.

You should always wear a mask, if you are cooped up inside on a visit. Play outside with her, or him, or play in the backyard. We do have to be more mindful about Covid exposure.

You have to take into a account you’re emotional well-being, and the well-being of your family.

One of the biggest symptoms of CLL is anxiety. The counter measure to anxiety, is - to the best of our abilities, calm and sensible actions.

Hope this helps!!