Working in schools with Vasculitis

[Dave34]

Hi

I am a teacher who has been recently diagnosed with Vasculitis. I must admit I am really worried about returning to school in September, especially how the COVID infections were increasing before the summer. Are there any other teachers out there with the condition and how are you coping with working in that environment with no or little immunity?

Thanks

Dave

[zoe69 Moderator Volunteer Vasculitis UK]

I am not a teacher, I am an EAL Practitioner working in a secondary school.

I find it very difficult to be honest. I wear my mask and make sure that windows are open. I check the students work walking between the desks and if someone needs help I make sure my face (wearing a mask) is not near theirs.

If you are newly diagnosed and will be heavily immunosuppressed you should discuss this with your doctor first of all - I was advised not work while I was having cyclophosphamide, more than 6 years ago. Send them an email, or call them to ask for advice

Then you have to discuss it with the school. They will have to do a risk assessment for you.

I hope you have had both your jabs.

[Vasc72]

I am a dance teacher in a primary school. I was diagnosed in April and had rituximab in May. I was advised not to work last term. I am due another infusion in October/November and therefore not sure if I’ll be able to go back to work especially as there won’t be any social distancing in schools now. Also it is very hard to teach dance to younger children without being amongst them! Very hard decision to make!!

[EdieBD]

I am not a teacher, but have been highly immunocompromised with Cellcept use. You will want to talk to your doctor, have your IgG levels checked. With the latest advisories, and reports that it only takes seconds to transmit the new variant, everything has changed. Thank you for loving our kids.

[pigeon12]

I am a retired teacher and I was diagnosed with GPA vasculitis 5 years ago after retiring. I am lucky to be treated by the QA in Portsmouth as it is the regional centre and has a lot of knowledgeable consultants. When I was immunosuppressed, first with rituximab, I was told that it might be better if I stayed away from my small grandchildren and later when I was on a maintenance dose of azothioprine I was warned to be careful around young children and watch what I ate to avoid food poisoning. I did have a bout of food poisoning and it put me in hospital. In your position I'm surprised that you are not being told to take time off work until your immunity is back to somewhere near normal. All the best with your treatment.

[Red-head44]

Hi DaveZoe's concerns are valid. I am part of central government and go round schools on a weekly basis - I feel quite safe as the mitigations in place in a school are robust [or should be]. Colleagues will understand and appreciate if you don't want them in your classroom and explain to the pupils who will have other relations who have similar issues if not the same condition. I was diagnosed 5 yrs ago and couldn't have gone to work in a class for at least a year as I was so tired all the time so you'll need to pace yourself and be realistic. I have been left with very little energy and work two days a week now. At home I pace myself and tackle strenuous jobs one a day as I can't do more than one in one day - listen to your body and in time you will 'just know' what you are capable of, even if other well meaning family members are telling you to slow down. It is more difficult for them to watch us struggle each day but struggle you will have to. The best of luck.