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@robertwills

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?

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Replies to "Another try: You have two friends. One is immunocompromised. The other is not. You see each..."

@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)

You might consider posing the question to your PC or a communicable disease expert. This is hypothetical (no doctorate in communicable diseases or stats); the risks of being close to a immunocompromised or average sick person would likely be the same if they both have, for example, the flu. Being immunocompromised means they are at greater risk of getting sick and perhaps being contagious for a longer period of time, not that they collect lots of different bacteria, fungi, virus, and whatever to share with others, regardless of if they are ill or well. Anyone that practices risky close contact with a lot of people has a greater chance of being ill. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8566017/ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8220436/

To use another example, I used to call little kids germ bags (not to their faces) because their immune systems are fine, but they haven't been exposed to as many germs as we have so don't have the immune system memory. Once they are close to other tykes they catch colds and other afflictions to share with others. However, they share what they are sick with (and perhaps what is in their sticky hands), not everything that they have contracted through time. They are better at transmitting the germs because of higher bacterial/viral load while their immune system figures out the best attack, and close contact with family.

@robertwills It seems each person is different, when it comes to passing on viruses. When someone is exposed to a virus or germs, their own general health can come in to play. This week they may be feeling a little punky due to a head cold, so their system may be a bit more inviting to something else. But last week they were doing good, and those same viruses and germs had no chance. So, in my non-professional opinion, it is a gamble every day. As far as you catching a virus or germs from someone else, the same goes as far as your general health that day!

As someone who is immunocompromised, I practice masking, keeping my hands clean, picking the people I am around, etc.
Ginger