GPA and swimming pools

[stuc]

Hi all

i am planning a holiday abroad soon and wanted to know if anyone with GPA has been advised by their consultant against going into a swimming pool.

I have GPA but been in remission for about 2 years. I am still on azathioprine daily.

I have a vague recollection of being told this but I’m not sure who told me this

Cheers

[MIK65]

Hi Stuc,

I have EGPA and similar to yourself have been in remission for just over two years. I take a number of medications including Azathioprine and Prednisone.

I discussed the subject of using a swimming pool with my consultant about eighteen months ago. I was looking to shift some of the weight I had put on. Suffice to say she was against the idea and encouraged me to look at alternative forms of exercise. Covid was still very much at the forefront of her thinking and she was concerned regarding picking up infections in an environment with so many people.

I haven’t discussed it since, so I don’t know whether the advice would be the same now.

[stuc in reply to MIK65]

thanks Mik 65

[yogarita1955 in reply to MIK65]

morning I have GPA had a heart attack can not tolerate drugs so on 6 prednisone a day had retixamab

have been to fuerteventura and swimming been fine you have to live your life

.4years in now

and living a normal life just be aware

[Investigator1]

Hi Stuc. I have GPA, in remission too, currently on 6 monthly Rituximab Providing you’re not going to some unsanitised, third world germ infested hell hole you will be fine. The chemicals used in swimming pools at hotels will advocate any danger. Get in and have a swim and enjoy because this is a case where the benefits both mind and body outweigh the risk. Nick.

[stuc in reply to Investigator1]

thanks

Going to Las Vegas so outdoor pools and cleanliness is high

[Main1234]

hi we were informed hot tubs were botto be recommended .

[stuc in reply to Main1234]

thanks

[Grizzly-bear]

I don’t go swimming but know others with vasculitis do. I think you can make a call based on what the conditions of the pool are like and how crowded it is. Lots of children will typically involve them weeing in the pool (likely some adults too), but if l chlorinated even that shouldn’t harm you.

Hot tubs and saunas are little germ factories.

I’d also recommend not going barefoot in any of the areas around the pool so you don’t pick up anything fungal. Some flip flops would be fine.

Basically I’d make the call when looking at the pool, if it looks well maintained, no mold spots and isn’t super busy (which in my opinion isn’t fun anyway)

[stuc in reply to Grizzly-bear]

thanks Grizzly bear - makes sense

[EGPAGuy]

I'm guessing just not a good idea in general with a compromised immune system

[stuc in reply to EGPAGuy]

thanks

[Diamister]

always good to check with your nurses Stuc. I haven’t heard that about azathioprine although the very clear warning to me is stay out of the sun where possible, as skin cancer risks are increased for many. That could be the connection. Hope you get the right answer. Steve.

[stuc in reply to Diamister]

thanks Steve, I wear factor 50 every day so hopefully that’s covered

[Mgtrob]

My son has had GPA for over 15 years & has always swam. Goes to the baths about four times a week. Every day in the pool when abroad. Is on azathioprine; swam when having cyclophosphamide & retux.

[stuc in reply to Mgtrob]

thanks

[Hidden]

You should be fine. I do not believe our immune systems are affected enough to cause any alarm. One value that is important to look at on your labwork is your absolute neutrophils. Those are your infection fighting cells.

[stuc in reply to Hidden]

thanks,blood work been stable for2 years, long May that continue

[012703060610]

Just make sure the pool is actually chlorinated. Hotels are switching to salt water pools and would expect things like this to be in Vegas. I don't know the chemistry for keeping those clean so wouldn't be certain.

[GPAJuneWoman]

When I went on rituximab I was told not to swim anywhere including in chlorinated pools because of the risk of water and airborne infections e.g. Legionella. I really miss it. I'm trying to get an answer from her as to how my risk might have changed as the rituximab was two years ago but I'm still on steroids. My nearest pool is an outdoor one and I'd love to go there; but I did get an ear infection there, way before I had Vasculitis, and had to go and have my ear dealt with by ENT, who asked where on earth had I been swimming! Also, loads of kids go there. Sighs.