Biologics and infections

[Sidera]

Hello all. Today was my first Abatacept injection. All ok so far and I’m trying not to read too much stuff about side effects etc. However I wondered if anyone had any info about infections and biologics. Is it a big issue or no worse than when on dmards? What precautions, if any, do people take and what should I be on the lookout for? Should I hold back on smooching my dog!!

[JulezH]

I personally didn't get more illnesses whilst on the injections although I was taking vitimin C consistently. I say smooch that doggo but be sensible and aware of lung infections and heavy coughing.

[Sidera in reply to JulezH]

Thank you so much for this

[helixhelix]

There is an increased risk, but of course that also depends on you as some people are more prone than others. I’ve been on biologics for 11 months now without any problem. I am a little more careful than I used to be, so I wash my hands more and am more conscious of basic hygiene. So I don’t eat at open buffets, and try to get out of the way when people cough over me.

I garden a lot, and often get cuts and scrapes so do disinfect carefully and have an antibiotic cream to put on if they start to get red and angry. You need to be aware to go to your doctor sooner rather than later if you have a high temperature of other signs of infection. But that’s about it.

I smooch my dog - but stay out of the room when he's having his kennel cough vaccine as it is a live one, and wait until he's had his nose wiped before going near him.

[AgedCrone in reply to helixhelix]

I agree....If you normally get bronchitis every winter you will probably still get bronchitis every winter.

I have been on Rtx for three years and I haven’t had a single cold or any other bug to complain about.... I carry antiseptic wipes in case of cuts & grazes ..but usually forget to use them!

I think common sense and washing your hands before you handle your food are normally enough precautions to take.

[Sidera in reply to AgedCrone]

Thank you - really helpful

[Sidera in reply to helixhelix]

Thank you. This is really helpful.

[Mmrr]

Some of the new research evidence becoming available is saying that the risks of serious infections with biologics is not as great as initially thought. As others have said just good, plain hygiene such as washing your hands regularly goes a long way....and not letting others cough over you...

[Hidden in reply to Mmrr]

What about live yoghurt and live me for? I eat live yoghurt and don't seem to have a problem and was planning to get Live Kefir for for my gut but it says not to if on immunosupreesants. Possibly this is over cautious?? Xx

[helixhelix in reply to Hidden]

Well I eat all sorts of unpasteurised food, raw eggs and patés and haven’t had a problem. I pay attention to where it comes from - so wouldn’t touch a paté sandwich that had been sitting out on a café counter for a few hours for example. Or industrial chicken sandwiches if I didn’t know how they had been stored.

And I am pretty healthy, so feel that this minute risk is ok. If I were older, frailer, with multiple medical problems then perhaps I would be less casual about it all.

(I don’t use kefir because I think it’s awful!)

[Hidden in reply to helixhelix]

Thank you. A sensible approach I feel. Xx

[Hidden in reply to Mmrr]

The below comment from me is about live Kefir. Auto correct has gone and changed it. Xx

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

You can edit your replies Hiphop 😊

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. How do I do that please? Xx

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Either on the drop down options under ‘more’ or the three dots on your post will have edit as an option

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thank you I've sorted it. Xx

[TPaine]

I too am probably healthier since on benepali and MTX as these have controlled the RA so I am less susceptible for being healthier I think? I have been infection free except for an insect bite last summer which was nasty and needed antibiotics so I agree with the others that sensible care of self is the key and as Helix says any early signs of infection take seriously and get medical advice so you can then be treated promptly. I was in the room when my dog got his kennel cough vaccine but wasn't in contact as vet asked about compromised immunity. While he was still live with it I just didn't snuggles for 48hrs, he still slept with us though and I was fine.

Good luck.

[Hidden]

I have Cimzia biological and have a lot of trouble with winter ailments. I catch them very easily and I have a lot of difficulty in fighting them off. I take all the precautions mentioned by others. However, for the difference that the biological makes it is still an amazing drug that I wouldn't want to be without.

[chmod777 in reply to Hidden]

Same for me w cimzia. Though I don’t know if it’s something specific w the drug. Have been taking it for around 9 months and feel like I’ve had more colds, and had a bad strep infection. That’s it tho, and otherwise the drug has been very helpful.

[Hidden]

Without it!

[Hidden]

I’ll echo what others have said, I haven’t had any more infections than I had before I went on biologics. I was so worried about this aspect of them but good hygiene and staying away from ill people is all I am doing.