Impetigo

[Attic]

Hi everyone, I am still on Pred for PMR and should be meeting someone tomorrow who has been diagnosed with Impetigo. Would it be advisable to give them a wide berth.

Thank you, Jenny x

[GOOD_GRIEF]

You're going to want to avoid physical contact, and avoid their bed linens, towels, eating utensils, drinking cups and glasses, and dishware.

Maybe eating in a restaurant sitting across the table is the best bet.

To avoid hurting their feelings, you could say you've got or are coming down with a cold, and you don't want them to get it.

[Hidden]

Personally, l’d give anyone with Impetigo a wide birth!

We never really know how we may react, our immune system is compromised so see them when they are better.😉

nhs.uk/conditions/impetigo/

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

MrsNails took the words right out of my mouth.

No point in putting yourself at risk, I’m sure you can rearrange meeting without upsetting everyone!

Just explain your immune system is rubbish at the moment so you have to be careful - with everything!

[jinasc]

I echo the three replies above.

Just be honest, best for the future, tell them you have an auto-immune illnesses and you cannot take the risk of being in contact with some one that has capabilities of being passed on, like chicken pox, measles etc. Tell them, once they are free and clear you will be only too happy to meet up.

Explain that an auto-immune illness means your body is attacking its self and you have to be careful as it opens up yourself to other illnesses which means added complications and medicines.

If they don't understand, they are no friend of yours.

[Hidden]

I wouldn't go near impetigo even if I was well. Even with the 48hrs after antibiotics ok that they give for school kids it's so contagious before it drys up. So same as others.

[Yellowbluebell]

Impetigo is a really infectious disease at the best of time let alone when you have a compromised immunity

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Are they on medication for it? If so and they have been on it for a few days it should be fine:

kidshealth.org/en/kids/impe...

"Impetigo is contagious, which means that you could spread it to other people. That's why people with impetigo should keep the sores covered when they go to school or other public places. After you take the medicine for least 24 hours, the impetigo isn't contagious anymore. After 3 days, the sores should begin to heal."

(Sorry about it being a kids link but it answered the question )

[prunus in reply to PMRpro]

I remember during the War after being evacuated, there was a girl in our class with impetigo and we all kept away from her. Maybe it is more associated with children.

[piglette]

The NHS page from Mrs Nails specifically says:

Do not have close contact with children or people with diabetes or a weakened immune system (if they're having chemotherapy, for example)