I am a hugger, but when someone I want to hug is sick, I stay at a safe distance. I also carry hand sanitizer in my purse and use it when I deem necessary. I try not to freak out about it, but I still try to be prudent. Does your family understand that you have a supressed immune system?

V

All the germ-a-phobe's in the house, raise your hand.

ME! ME! ME!

Hows this for you. A new friend, who has yet to learn exactly what a weak immune system is, comes over to visit with her 1 1/2 year old son. Ten minutes after she's here, my kids playing with her little boy and having a gay old time, she suddenly asks. "Oh, by the way, have you all had either the Chicken Pox vaccine, or the Chicken Pox itself?"

I kid you not, she used the same tone one would when commenting on the weather! I was stunned silent for a minute.

Her son had the vaccination and developed a mild case of chicken pox. She then inform me that she could take him out, just not around people with a supressed immune system. Even though it was from the shot, it was still contagious!

HELLO!!!

I had to come off the shots and wait two weeks for symptoms to pop up as a precautionary. I had the vacinations, but it's not fool proof. I was beside myself. Who does that? Who take a child out when they are sick?!

These shots have turned me into a germ-a-phobe. Cough near me, and a panic a little inside. Which is rough, I have three children in school. Like I already stated, there are parents out there who send their kids to school sick. It's what developed my phobia. I spent the winter two years ago sick more than healthy. I was off the Enbrel so long that's to all the colds and flu's the gernal populas shared, that it stopped working and I had to switch to Cimzia.

I'm a nut with alcohol, hand washing, and covering your mouth when you cough.

So no, to sum it all up, you are not alone.

My children are never sick thankfully. I was a bit paranoid when I was immunosuppressed... can't blame you really!

I'm only on Sulfasalazine, but [hopefully] just before Christmas, I will have a new treatment plan. I see my new rheumy for my follow up on 12/21. {crossing fingers} All of my tests are done, dermatologist diagnosed me with dishidrotic eczema on my feet and Morphea (localized scleroderma) on my right hand (which developed 5 months into my SSZ treatments; my guess is it isn't strong enough, if I am developing an overlap condition while on it. Just saying!). Bone scan showed multifocal degeneration everywhere, including my sternum.

Like V, I am a hugger. I am also a student and a stepmom to a 10 year old who lives with us full time. When he is in school (and for two weeks after exposure to other kids) he is not to touch anything I eat or drink. I wah my hands religiously and keep handsanitizer with me. Even have on hanging from my school tote and laptop bag.

Since my system is still overzealous I'm only prudent. That may change depending on my treatment plan.

I too am paranoid about getting sick. I babysit 2 grandkids on Mondays and another on Wednesday. Between them someone is always sick. In the past I fortified myself with extra vitman C using anti bacterial stuff on my hands alot! But finally I got bronchitus and I have been sick almost a month. Been on a high dose of antibotics for over 3 weeks now. I am finally getting better. No matter how I explain it to my kids that I can't be around sick kids they don't get it. They are my grandbabies and I do enjoy my time with them. All I can do is sympathize it is rather frustrating!

I have to admit being totally paranoid about illness. I don't have any little kids around but my daughters know that if kids are sick they don't come visit. Even my hubby who is an interstate trucker will not come home if he has a cold or flu. He will phone as he's driving past to say that he won't be home due to him having a cold. I have been very lucky with only getting one bad dose of pneumonia this year and a smaller follow up dose about a month later. Also fanatical about hand washing etc.
So count me in on the germ paranoia.
Kel

Wow! It's good to know that I am not alone! V....My family does know about my immune system but I don't think that they clearly get it. I feel like they get offended or something, like I'm just being dramatic. Maybe it's just me.
Tanya....I can't believe that lady did that! Even if you didn't have an immune system problem to bring her child over when he was sick!!!! I don't understand people sometimes.

Wow, the chicken pox mm needs to grab a clue!

I work at a university with thousands from all over the world. I tend to not worry about getting sick-- I have to work so I just make sure no one else uses my phone or computer. Also keep things clean. I've had two sinus infections this year, but attribute that to swollen sinuses. I know I need to be more careful, especially at the grocery. Got the flu shot. Hoping I stay well.

Wow, the chicken pox mm needs to grab a clue!

I work at a university with thousands from all over the world. I tend to not worry about getting sick-- I have to work so I just make sure no one else uses my phone or computer. Also keep things clean. I've had two sinus infections this year, but attribute that to swollen sinuses. I know I need to be more careful, especially at the grocery. Got the flu shot. Hoping I stay well.

Omigosh! You and me BOTH sister - soooo scared of getting ill, some type of infection. I have to say that I use the hand santiizer up the wazoo, wash hands 1000x a day, try to keep my distance from those who are coughing, runny noses, etc....and when all else fails I've considered wearing a mask - but think that I might look a bit silly doing that!! lol

I never used to worry about germs and getting sick. On Kineret and , a daily needle, and mthx, I think my immune system was not as suppressed as the six month Rituxan infusions.

I've had major bronchitis twice this summer. However, I have been living under stress with my father dying and being at his bedside daily, so that might be a factor, too. I guess with his passing, I will find out if it was stress, or the biologic.

It's not just snotty little kids ;-p you need to worry about though... viral infections are bad but not as dangerous to us folk as things like food borne illness (i.e. bacterial infection). Make sure you wash your salad veges thoroughly, and only eat hot food out!

I don't think there is a lot you can do, especially if you want to see the people involved. We have our granddaughter around a lot and I'm sure she has brought me down a few times. Just keep up with the disinfecting of things you touch and they touch, was hands, take your vitamins, and try and not worry about it. Think about all the things you are exposed to daily that you don't give much thought to, like the money in your purse or wallet, any idea who had it last?? Every time you eat out you touch tables, chairs, condiment containers, I'm sure they are germ magnets, the public bath rooms, shopping carts, the list is endless. Have a great Thanksgiving, Hugs, Charlie

Thanks for the replies everyone! Eyemailme...hilarious...maybe that could be a new way to identify our beloved friends with RA...everyone wear a mask! LOL!

I try to stay away from anyone who is sick and so does my husband so he will bring germs home. But get this, my Rheumy's office has become partnered with general practice doctors. When you go into his waiting room there is a sign that says,"If you are sick, sit on this side."

I can't believe this. They stress staying out of crowds and there are sick people in his waiting room. I am planning on wearing mask for my next visit.