Do Immunocompromised people spread viruses just as easy?

If someone is immunocompromised they are at greater risk of getting sick, the symptoms being more severe, and the recovery longer; they can also share the virus/bacteria if they are still infectious. Whether you get infected depends on factors like being vaccinated, the viral load (lots versus a few puny virus), if you are immune because you already have had it, and how communicable it is. When my friends travel or are in a close group then we wait a few days after they return to lessen the risk that they can share a cold/flu/etc. Wearing a N95 mask, meeting in a well ventilated or outdoor space, and keeping a few feet apart each lessen the chance of catching something. All friendships benefit from boundaries; if you are more comfortable waiting to see them after they have been in clubs, then good to tell them. I'm 70, not immunocompromised, and caught covid on a 7-day 350 mi bike tour in March 2023; I was sitting next to and talking with a fellow cyclist that didn't yet know she was infectious (it hit her two days later).

Great post, people are getting too relaxed about Covid. It's still out there and it keeps mutating to stronger strains. I've had nine covid vaccinations and can't afford not continue getting boosters. Thanks for keeping this conversation going. Michael. e

@robertwills Hi, Robert. I’ve been immunocompromised for about 6-7 years. I’ve gone on plane trips, taken the NYC subway; but I always take care on myself. If i go on a plane or subway, i wear disposable gloves to touch everything with. I try to avoid people if I can tell that they have symptoms. And I scrub up when I get back to the car. But, you know, you only have one life to live and I don’t think you want to live it like a reclusive. Or you can ‘safety protect’ yourself with a good mask, gloves (if you think you need them), and antiseptic for washing your hands.
What outing will you go on to try out your safety rules?

There's an informal social group we both belong to, then we go to a café for a couple of hours. My question is only to do what the fact that the person I know is not taking precautions and is therefore getting sick on a regular basis and it lasts far longer than in non-immunocompromised people. By sick a mean everything transmissible from colds, flu, Covid and all other viruses they may catch. My question is: If they get sick from a cold or anything else that I would not have otherwise have caught might they spread it to me or will I still be immune to it? Just in general.

I don't like the fact, for my sake, they are going into public situations that put them at severe risk for getting sick, like a night club, and then they might spread it to me. If they simply flew on an airplane or went shopping at the mall that would very different.

If your friend is immunocompromised then he/she is taking risks being in close contact with others without masking or other steps. I have a few friends that caught covid on flights, so any place where one is close to others poses some risks. When someone gets sick, the virus or bacteria invades their cells, multiplies, and spreads until counteracted by antibiotics, antivirals, and/or ones immune system. Transmission to others by touch, sneezing, cough, talking, or whatever can happen regardless of the strength of that infected person's immune system. Your risk of catching their cold, flu, or other is lessened by waiting a few days to ensure they didn't catch anything from the nightclub, by keeping up on vaccines, keeping ones distance (across a small table), masking, and/or hopefully being immune to whatever pestilence is about because you already were sick from it.

@robertwills I think I said a few incorrect/confusing things in my earlier post. Sorry! I think @kayabbott had some really good suggestions. I think also, you need to list what makes you especially nervous, like going to someplace with lots of people. You might have to say to her that you really enjoy her company but that it upsets you when she goes to crowded places knowing that she is immunocompromised and could get sick. Airplanes are no better, unless you wear an N95 mask. Please think about what matters most to you and act accordingly.

Maybe I didn't explain my question in the right way. Try this: If my friend doesn't take sensible precautions to reduce their risk of catching viruses in public does that put me at risk from catching the all viruses from my friend? Or only the ones that I would have contracted if I were exposed?

Being immunocompromised means they can more easily get sick when exposed to germs, not that they are a reservoir for a lot of different harmful bacteria and/or viruses. If your friend is sick and within the window for being infectious to others (testing positive for covid, for example) then it is possible for others to catch that particular disease from them. There are rare instances of people being carriers, Typhoid Mary being a case in point, but most people can share colds/flu/etc. only when they are sick. https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/risk-factors/weakened-immune-systems.html#:~:text=When%20Sick,a%20respiratory%20virus%20to%20others.

Another try: You have two friends. One is immunocompromised. The other is not. You see each of them once a week. Both are around a lot people, about the same number in the same community,. on a regular basis during the week. Would each of them statistically pass on viruses about equally to you or would the friend that is immunocompromised pass on more?

@robertwills No, but I’m not a statistician. The immunocompromised person would probably collect more ‘germs’ (medical terminology) and is probably sick in bed. They would pass them on depending on how you interact—a kiss, a hug, a handshake.
In reality, you should probably avoid both until they are well . You will probably catch the same infectious organisms from the community unless you stay home.
Did I pass the test this time? ; )
(P.S. it’s way late and I’m tired)