fighting off a minor condition, like a cold

I have colds in the past and I always go to my GP to make sure it is just a cold. Antibiotics can help with a post nasal drip.

I have been concerned myself about getting sick. Everyone around me is coughing and sneezing. I wear a mask when possible and am always washing my hands. How serious is it to catch a cold

@johnbrowne Thanks John. I have been trying to decide if I should call today or wait until Monday. I think I will wait. They always say treat a cold and it last 7 days, don't treat it and it lasts a week, so on Monday it will be a week.
At this point I do not plan to go to my stepson's home for Easter dinner, my husband can go without me, and I guess I won't go to church either.
JK

@gaylea1 that is exactly what I am wondering, "how serious is it to catch a cold". With a compromised immune system how does your body get rid of it?
JK

Really sorry to hear this, @contentandwell. I (not having a transplant to factor in) always go with what a friend in grad school told me that there is nothing better for helping a cold or minor illness than sleeping as much as you can.

After my transplant in 2009, I learned that my own body will usually take time and half to twice the 'normal' time to recover. This is pretty consistent with all minor ailments as well as those minor cuts, scrapes, and bruises. I also take my temperature regularly if I am beginning to feel like I might be getting sick, and I go into 'Take care of me' mode. Staying hydrated, too, is very important.

I have located an older discussion that you might like to look at, @gaylea1, since you are waiting for your transplant. "Can a cold or ear infection delay getting a transplant?" It is a short discussion, and should be fairly easy to view. It contains some good information from our Transplant moderators. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/question-204e2a/

Have any of you figured out why these things always happen on weekends?

@contentandwell, I hope you feel better soon. I think that staying home (avoiding more germs) and getting rest are good choices. That's what I would do. I actually missed my granddaughter's 1st birthday because of my own advise.
Rosemary

@lisalucier thanks Lisa, I am pretty much doing that except when I lay down things worsen. Normally I would not be concerned but when it occurred to me that I now have no resistance I started to wonder how long this can last. Although I won’t be going to my stepson’s I do need to make a couple things for my husband to bring there so I will just put a face mask on and do it.
JK

@johnbrowne, Thanks for sharing your experience. I am in complete agreement with your response to this discussion. Your GP must be a gem! So is my PCP. who tells me to call anytime. And his office staff knows that when I call they need to work me into his schedule.

johnbrowne, I want to welcome you to Mayo Connect! As an online community we are here any time of day or night. We share our experiences and we support each other based on our own experiences. We also find support by sharing with each other.

You are welcome to look thru our discussion groups and join in wherever you would like.

What is your connection to Transplant? Recipient? Waiting?
I look forward to hearing from you.
Rosemary - Liver/kidney 2009

@contentandwell and @gaylea1 I think rest, tea and some homemade chicken noodle soup do wonders for healing, no matter if you are pre or post transplant.

@lisalucier, I wish everybody followed your friend's advice! It is especially important to all of us transplant folks, as well as anyone with a compromised immune system.
Rosemary