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Do Immunocompromised people spread viruses just as easy?
I met someone at a regular social function. We get along well and have been going out to a local café once a week afterwards. Recently they were out for weeks and when they came back I asked them if everything was ok. They said that they are very immunocompromised, get sick rather easily and when they get sick it often lasts weeks or longer. Recently they told me they were going to a nightclub for hours. I didn't say anything but I am concerned.
I have the concern that if they catch viruses easily does this mean I will catch them or do non-immunocompromised have good protection against most viruses that immunocompromised get? Meaning do they spread all virus they acquire or just the ones that would be spread by other non-immunocompromised people.
Personally I am not liking the fact that they are going to a nightclub but that's their choice. I just don't want to catch what they night catch from them at out next outing.
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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.
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2 Reactions@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
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7 ReactionsI've been on Tacrolimus since Sept 2000 and have had 2 liver transplants. I noticed at the beginning of each transplant I was more sensitive to germs. As time went on things got much better and I got less sick from viruses. I am not sure why nor have I received a good answer. The only thing I have tried to do is reduce the amount of Tacrolimus I have to take as time goes on. I have been fortunate to never have had a rejection episode in going on 25 years now. I monitor my blood work as my doctors do and try to keep my Tacrolimus levels below the normal expected range.
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2 ReactionsI am immunosuppressed (and get COVID vaccines every 6 months; the RSV vax, etc) and was told by my Rheumatologist that persons who are immune compromised carry the virus longer than others. This means the wait-time to not be infectious is typically longer, so that the immunosuppressed person can shed all of the virus and not be infectious to others. I have had COVID twice (Paxlovid is a miracle worker for me!); RSV turned into pneumonia and landed me in the hospital. I am 69, and very cautious. When home I watch other for symptoms and slip on a mask (or move to a diffferent location if possible), and keep my hands washed regularly and carry antiseptic wipes everywhere. When traveling, I wear the N95 mask in the airport and on the plane because of the number of people & enclosed spaces…plus on cruise tour buses and am vigilant of others’ coughing etc... I don’t want to end up in the hospital, so take as many precautions as possible, while still mostly living my life as I did pre-pandemic. Your friend could still be shedding the virus; if it were me I would steer clear for another week.
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3 ReactionsThe problem in my case is my friend will not take precautions, like an N95 mask. And they go regularly to settings where many people are crowded together, talking, shouting and singing like nightclubs. So I will never know when they may be infectious; rather they will become sick on a regular basis. So unfortunately I have decided to not have this kind friendship. I hate being sick.
The same with anyone who drinks alcohol, any amount. I would have thought this absurd and prudish when I was younger but my experience has shown 100% that alcohol leads to so many problems, typically major, and I do not want to take the risk. If I have friends who do not drink the risk is zero.
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