Corona virus and PMR risk

[B4lamb]

What complications would I have with corona virus while suffering pmr taking 6 mg of steroid

[PMRpro Ambassador]

If anyone in the world knew - we would try to find out and tell you. But I fear no-one does. It is an unknown quantity.

The fact that we are on an immunosuppressive drug does mean we are a higher risk group - but we are anyway because of age in most cases. However, by 6mg the immunosuppressive effect should be very small and I have never found I get more infections while on pred.

All the more reason to take the precautions that are being urged on us: handwashing and avoiding crowded places. Here in Italy they are telling the elderly to stay at home as much as possible.

[maria40 in reply to PMRpro]

I understand from BBC news this morning that that may be the case here soon too, It would seem sensible as long as they have provision in place for us to get essentials like food and prescriptions, which I have to get from pharmacy in person. My daughter seems to be in the same camp as Ida's Mum's cleaner; thinks so much is hype, so when I expressed reservations about having my grandson at the weekends as I usually do, she got very cross and is now not speaking to me so don't think I could rely on her for such things.

Still, on the positive side, I finally got to grips with online shopping on Friday but it won't be delivered until Sunday which shows the demand. Other positive was that I spoke to younger daughter in Norway who has a little medical knowledge and she was sympathetic and reassuring - just wish she weren't off to Brazil tomorrow which will give me something else to worry about. Think I must have been born with a double set of the worry gene!

[piglette]

It does seem if you smoke or have lung problems such as COPD, asthma also cardiac problems, diabetes etc .... it can cause more problems. They now think the virus has mutated, so who knows!! They reckon men are affected more than women.

[Charlie1boy in reply to piglette]

I could have done without your last sentence piglette!!! Only joking.

I'm pretty fatalistic about it anyway; I've never had flu in my life, but realise there is always a first time.

Best wishes.

Paddy

[B4lamb in reply to Charlie1boy]

Yes Paddy, I agree. I've not heard that men are affected more than women but not good news if true.

John

[piglette in reply to Charlie1boy]

I think the chance of dying is higher if you are a man rather than getting it. On the other hand ten million people a year get TB and and one person dies every 21 seconds, with London being the TB centre of Europe. Convid-19 pales into insignificance.

[Charlie1boy in reply to piglette]

Thanks piglette. Helps to get these things into perspective.

Regards

Paddy

[B4lamb in reply to piglette]

Well I don't smoke and never have done but if I do get a chesty cold it does tend to progress to brochitis and once before pmr further to pneumonia so I'm a bit wary. I have had the pneumonia vaccine recently so maybe that will help.

[Hidden in reply to B4lamb]

Sorry, it doesn't but being careful, washing your hands and trying not to touch your face, or go to crowded places is the best way to safeguard yourself.

[Constance13 in reply to Hidden]

Until this came up I never thought about touching my face - now I realise I'm an 'addicted' face toucher.😏 Also 'hair' toucher! I'm forever swiping my hair back - then I touch my face yet again!😬

[Hidden in reply to Constance13]

😂🤣😂 It's hair toucher for me too. If I used hairspray it might hold it in place so not flopping on my face with is a starter... But hate hairspray. Its the trying to get more body in it that starts it all!!

[Cyclegirl54 in reply to Constance13]

I had my hair trimmed yesterday and no excuse to touch hair now as off my face! It’s just my left ear habit I need to reign in😂

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to B4lamb]

The pneumonia vaccine is for bacterial pneumonia - it will do nothing to protect from a virus. At present it is prevention with hand washing, avoiding crowds and people coughing that is the way to go.

[B4lamb in reply to PMRpro]

Well that's something I didn't know. Thank you. Yes the guidance to minimise catching it and spreading it is sound.