Immunocompromised behavior

[GinnyMa]

i am 82 and heading in May into my last infusion for microscopic polyangiitis. I am fully vaccinated for flu, covid, and RSV. I am reluctant to let people into the house for any extended time if I don’t know their vaccine status, as I am immunocompromised. Am I being paranoid about this…??How do others deal with this?

[SusanEleven]

As I like to say, I don't know where they've been.

I don't have people over unless I know they're cautious and don't have tons of exposure. And we try to keep things safer for ourselves. We did outdoor take out meals and visits when the weather was good. I did purchase good air purifiers that I run at home, good for my asthma and allergies too. And I sunk money into a device that measures carbon dioxide levels (when you hit a certain levels you know you are breathing certain amounts of other people's exhalations). Then I know it's time to crack the windows and get more air circulating. My GPA issues are in my lungs so I'm very vigilant. I had my two induction infusions of Truxima and also ended up on high dose steroids. That's plenty of immune suppression, yikes.

Vaccines are only one layer of protection. Ventilation and filtration are others. I still mask in crowded indoor places.

I hope this isn't behind a paywall. I think it's a good one.

latimes.com/opinion/story/2...

[Nadine99 in reply to SusanEleven]

We still practice caution and still use masks when we feel vulnerable.

[GinnyMa in reply to SusanEleven]

The LA Times article was very enlightening….thank you

[Main1234]

hi GinnyMa . Certainly don’t think you are being paranoid especially with figures rising in the UK.

It’s a really hard call but my OH and I decided that we needed to get on living as we never know what’s round the corner. We do risk assess if visiting restaurants etc and open windows etc at home when we have visitors. Don’t think it’s unreasonable to check vaccination status. Interestingly our family have visited over the holidays, small grandchild , all had colds and we didn’t!!

Think it’s what ever you feel comfortable with but definitely easier in warmer weather.

Wishing you all the best

[oldtimer2]

I too have decided that I cannot avoid infections. I try to be sensible but I want to have a social life and enjoy what I can while I can. Hand washing, using a nasal gel that is thought to protect against cold viruses, and short exposures to the general public. I'm known for opening windows....

And I do have any vaccinations that are offered. If my immune system has had some exposure to a modified infection, then I have them, however inefficient my suppressed immune system is currently.

[Sandalsforever]

I just retired and we have been wanting to do more traveling but it is hard with the current atmosphere in the world. It seems to me that airports, trains and cruises are the worst for picking up sickness, people in enclosed spaces. We have decided to travel more by car than anything else. So far it has been a good choice. We refuse to stop living due to the disease and are careful as we can, but still enjoy life by not being fearful. My husband has has MPA for 25 years - kidney involvement - with transplant kidney in 2011. - needs another one but not healthy enough to get one. He is 71. Has has had hip replacement, 3 shoulder, 1 hand, foot, neck, back and wrist surgeries along with RLS, gout and various skin cancers all due to the drugs for MPA and kidney transplant. The doctors said the drugs will kill him before the disease. My take is no-one knows when our last days on the wonderful earth is, try to enjoy every day the best you can.

[Jjoy in reply to Sandalsforever]

Absolutely agree. My consultant has told me the drugs will get me first so we’re trying to do as much as possible!

[MsAmyM]

I don’t think you’re being paranoid. Being immunocompromised is scary. Covid changed everything.