Super Bugs, MRSA, NARS, C-Diff< VRE

[PaulinaCanada]

On my next appointment (although the Rheumo does know my work) I am going to bring this up with her again. I Wonder if any of you have any experience with this. I work as a stretcher crew, transferring patients who can not walk and move very much. We only transport stable patients, non emergency. We transport from hospital to either home, long term care, hospital to hospital, or to hospice. I have been vaccinated to the hilt, according to the health authorities requirements. But we do transport daily patients who have the above mentioned "super bugs", and I am EXTREMELY careful with contact, gloving, mask, and gowned. I wash my hands so often I need to carry a supply of moisturizer. But I must say I do have worries with having PMR and the work I do. Any one else have experiences with something similar? Thank you Paulina

[PMRpro Ambassador]

'Fraid not - and I doubt there are any/many in such close contact with such nasties. A large proportion of us are retired - or in jobs that aren't so physical. A few were nurses but were unable to continue working.

It really is something to discuss with an infectious diseases expert I think. Personally I've not found my immunity compromised - but I'm not playing with MRSA and co.

[SnazzyD]

Well, I’ve spent 30 years in nursing, some of it in Infectious Diseases, with my Neutrophil count dropping to moderately low levels every three weeks due to another condition. I practised careful hand washing or mask if appropriate. Never caught anything from anyone else, only from my own flora if I ever did get an infection. The Pred has actually boosted my Neutrophil numbers, though made them less effective. My family got flu this year but I didn’t and have not had the vaccine. My attitude is that being near humans in general is a risk and I could well have been as much of a MRSA, meningitis etc carrier as anyone else. Perhaps I just got lucky.

[PaulinaCanada in reply to SnazzyD]

Thank you ... been away for a bit, sorry for the late reply ;o)

[Seabyrd]

My rheumy warned me NOT to be around anyone that I knew was sick and to stay away from hospitals etc.... That was after I was diagnosed with GCA (already had PMR and RA) which I did...I am now down to 2 mg Pred and am probably ok to be anywhere but I am still very careful as I know my immune system was seriously compromised. Good luck to you.

[PaulinaCanada in reply to Seabyrd]

Thank you ... yes being vigilant on hand washing and extra careful

[Megams]

~Hi PaulinaCanada - by accident found your post which you posed an interesting and valid question.

I was working in our hospitals as a Chaplaincy Assistant for some years prior to PMR being finally diagnosed. Once it was diagnosed I felt it was in my best interest to leave the hospital setting and work in a healthier setting as despite being particular with masks/gloves/sanitizers I soon became susceptible to most virus's once I was established on my steroids.

Sadly it appears I did pick up an ESBL despite being my best efforts.

Not sure if you are still in the work related field mentioned in this post of 1 year ago and how you fared in the meantime~

[PaulinaCanada in reply to Megams]

Yes I am still working in the health field. Although I have never contacted anything, but I am extremely vigilant about keeping myself and equipment clean. I am so sorry that you have pick something up from your profession.

[Megams in reply to PaulinaCanada]

~Good on you PaulinaCanada this is great to hear your continued vigilance is paying dividends for you.

Will come back & comment on LDN later in day ~