pred dose and immunosuppression - teaching & covid

[Sanekate]

Can anyone advise the red dose at which the immune system is considered working? .I am down to 2.5mg pred daily. I've had 4 covid jabs. I've been lecturing online only but am so keen to get back to face-to-face teaching Am I safe to do so? Grateful for any thoughts

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Pred doesn't stop the immune system working. Mine has done a fairly good job for the last 13 years! It just isn't necessarily as

Once you have had 3 Covid jabs it is supposed to have brought the response up to the same level as someone not immunosuppressed after 2 jabs, Someone not immunosuppressed can catch Covid, especially Omicron. But the jabs have prepared your immune system to some extent so you are very unlikely to be seriously ill.

I appreciate you don't want Covid at all - I certainly don't - but you are probably as safe as anyone else.

[Sanekate in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you - that's reassuring

[piglette]

I have been going out at that dose. I try not to go to very crowded places, but it seems anyone can now get Covid.

[tangocharlie]

Interestingly, I was advised like many of us at one stage that I was Extremely Clinically Vulnerabe (ECV) due to being on a high dose of steroids but have never had a letter or anything from the governmnt or NHS saying it's now safe to go back to normal, we were all just abandoned by Boris when he withdrew all restrictions. I've had 3 jabs but I still got Covid a few months ago, it was quite mild luckily. I take the view of staying away from crowds indoors if I can but otherwise keep calm and carry on. If I go to a pub or restaurant etc I choose a spacious well-ventilated one and don't sit closely opposite people. I still have to go on buses, trains etc. Somehow we have to learn to live with it by doing our own personal risk-assessments.

[PMRCanada]

At this stage in the pandemic/endemic it can be difficult to determine immunity levels and risk. I’ve had 3 jabs, including a booster last Dec that was advised prior to going on Methotrexate. I’ve also had COVID twice May 2020 and July 2022. My experience each time was night and day, with the last infection much milder (yet I was on two immunosuppressive medications). New variants factor in to it as well.

I had a discussion with my GP about recommendations. He advised me to continue to wear a mask while indoors with crowds and consider another booster. I faced my fears earlier this summer and flew domestically to another province to see my family…it had been 10 years. Ironically being in 3 airports and 4 flights (everyone required to wear masks), I didn’t get infected, and the trip was certainly worth it. Hubby and I got sick two weeks after my return as did my daughter

It’s a personal decision I feel we need to make for ourselves, perhaps with input from our physicians. Seems like there is less fear with the latest variants, and certainly less stigma if you get it, I suppose due to it being so contagious, everyone knows someone who has had it.

Wishing you the best with your decision and hope you find a way forward that contributes to a more meaningful career experience.

[Sanekate]

Thank you. Occ Health at my university has also said it's ultimately my decision. 4 hours of seminars & lectures indoors a week still feels risky, but I think I might just have to bite the bullet. I don't think I can face another year of zoom

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Sanekate]

Can understand that.. think you a only give it a go, taking all necessary precautions and see what happens..

If you feel unsafe after a couple of lectures, then you can always return to zoom... you won't know until you try.