Not sure is PMR contagious

[jensen0518]

Is PMR something that is contagious is it something my wife or kids could catch from me. Is it something I may have caught from somebody.

I hate to sound dumb but I am not sure how I got it and definitely don’t want anyone getting this

Thanks

[MhairiP]

No, it's not contagious - it's an auto-immune disease. There is a thought that PMR follows after a viral infection, but PMR itself isn't contagious.

When were you diagnosed? Have you been prescribed prednisolone?

If you have any questions about PMR and its treatment, you'll find this forum very helpful!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

No it’s not contagious. Although stress whether mental or physical or both seems to trigger something in our immune system.

Some patients believe family members have had it, but not enough research has been done to prove a hereditary link.

Although there are some common factors - see my post which was raised somewhat lightheartedly, but did elicit some interesting replies - healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[Yellowbluebell]

You have definitely not caught it nor can you infect anyone else. Welcome to the site where you will find answers to the many questions you have about pmr. The more experienced members of this forum will no doubt be along soon to give you what ever help you need. No question is stupid if it is bothering you and your questions will probably have been asked many times before. Good luck on your pmr journey.YB

[Soraya_PMR]

There’s a few people I’d like to give it to if only it were contagious! No! I jest, I’m firmly of the camp ‘if you can’t do someone a good turn, don’t do them a bad turn’. Although a few doctors might benefit from a 48 hour dose, just to get a feel for it 😉

It’s an auto immune disease. In other words, your immune system has turned on your body. You can’t infect or attack others. Your family is safe.

Stress can play a big part, but there’s no definitive answer as to how we get it, or why some get it and not others.

And you’re not dumb. You’re in a great place to get answers to all and any questions. We’ve all sat there a bit dumbfounded at diagnosis, and knowledge and understanding definitely helps you on this weird journey.

[Telian]

Certainly not contagious - others have explained well. The stress factor is a big precedent to onset of the illness.

There doesn’t seem to be much known if it’s hereditary but my brother has PMR. Someone else on here has a family member with it too.

[1964-karina in reply to Telian]

My dad has it as well as me 🙁

[GOOD_GRIEF]

This is a question posed someone who is intelligent an sensitive. I am impressed by your outstanding concern for your family.

No, PMR is not contagious. No one can "catch" it from you. You can set your fears to rest on that score.

There are trends in the data and research that show many of the people diagnosed have some Northern European ancestry. Many report having a mild-to-moderate viral type of episode some weeks or months before onset of PMR symptoms. Others report a period of high stress. There is a suggestion of a seasonal component with more cases being first reported in the fall and spring. No one knows which of these factors, or what combination, if any, set our immune systems on and left them stuck in the on position.

Please feel free to post any and all questions. There's an abundance of knowledge and wisdom here.

You are very welcome to join the club, air your concerns, ask any questions, tell us about your experiences - good and bad. And so are members of your family.

We're all in this together.

[jensen0518]

Thank you

[jinasc]

pmr-gca-northeast.org.uk/as...

BSR and BHPR guidelines for the management ofpolymyalgia rheumatica

Knowledge is Power.

[Angiejnz]

Not contagious but coincidentally my father in law has it too 🤣

[Soraya_PMR in reply to Angiejnz]

My MIL had it but died shortly before my symptoms started. I’ve pondered before if she bequeathed it to me 😂 However, caring for her was extremely stressful at times, so that may have set the seed.

[Purple-Owl in reply to Soraya_PMR]

Mother in Law? But there is no genetic link here.

[Soraya_PMR in reply to Purple-Owl]

I know!

As Angiejnz said re her FIL, coincidence.

Or maybe environmental?

[Hellyowl]

My aunt had GCA and is northern European. I had a virus and loads of stress and my GCA started in the spring. Guess I am pretty typical. Have learnt loafs from this site. Good luck with your recovery. Family can't catch it but they can really help you

[Soraya_PMR in reply to Hellyowl]

Give us this day our daily bread???? 😉

[survivalist]

If you like blue eyed 6 ft + Vikings with light coloured hair ? I gave it to all of you via my DNA ! I think its only contagious in that way LOL .

[Porker1]

I know it not to be contagious but my OH has recently recovered from it and then I was diganosed in December 2018. We've had a lot of stress over recent years so I'm betting thats were it started. Coincidentally my brother is recovering from GCA!

I'm so grateful to have been recommended Kate Gilberts book and now the forum which gives so much support and information. Good Luck and you can now put your mind at rest about your family catching it too!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

No, absolutely NOT catching in any way shape or form! There are some theories it may be due to a virus or the like but that has been discounted as there is no evidence of a common "thing" - though there do tend to be clusters of cases, several occurring in an area at a similar time. It isn't hereditary but having ancestors with Scandinavian genes seems to increase the likelhood of it developing but that still isn't the reason or cause. Just makes it maybe more likley.