Autoimmune gastritis and gastroparesis at higher risk for COVID?

Hi @gastrogirl, being vaccinated lowers your risk of getting COVID, but does not eliminate it. Vaccines do not create a barrier or a wall, but rather give your immune system the ability to fight infection if you are exposed to the virus.

If you have a condition or are taking medications that weaken your immune system, you may NOT be fully protected even if you are fully vaccinated. After vaccination, it is advised that you continue taking all precautions, such as hand washing, distancing and masking especially in public places indoors.

Keep in mind, being vaccinated gives you better protection than not being vaccinated.

My doctors have told me most of that. My concern is, now with all this new info coming out, should I be going back to co vaccine protections if the people I am also visiting are vaccinated but take zero precautions. Seems they may carry it if they act as if they are totally immune now and they are vaccinated but careless. I worry they may carry it and I may pick it up since I get ill so easily. They may not know they have it. Am I right in thinking this, or am I just being too cautious.

You're correct, gastrogirl. Vaccinated people can still carry the virus if they are exposed to it. They may or may not have symptoms. As someone with a compromised immune system, you are wise to take extra precautions and continue to mask and distance when visiting with other people who may have had exposure. Visiting outdoors is also better than indoors if that is an option for you.

You’re not being too cautious! With this virus there is no “being too cautious”. It’s unpredictable and we don’t know its limitations yet. So it’s always in your best interest and unselfishly, in the best interest of others to mask up and continue to follow the Covid guidelines.

I unabashedly wear a mask anytime I’m out in public. I don’t trust other people to do the right thing. And I don’t want to risk getting seriously ill even though I’ve been vaccinated. I earned the right to wear my mask and had so many people fighting to keep me alive. I’m not risking all of that when I can possibly avoid Covid by keeping up with protection.

For all of us, following the Covid protocol is really is our only means to know that we’ve done all we can to stay safe and help get this pandemic under control. You’re using your common sense along with factual information to make your decisions. Hard to go wrong with Science, statistics and education!

Do you ever get have people questioning why you’re still wearing a mask?

At times I do. Right now it is more of an issue with people I know who are vaccinated. They are going maskless and on with their lives. But then they want to spend time with you. I know they been around people every day that were maskless. My fear is they may have been exposed and now want us to visit and all be maskless, share food and play games. Vaccinated people can visit other vaccinated people without masking up. But with my illness and all this stuff about the new variant, and peoples careless behavior, I do not feel it is safe to visit other vaccinated people who been maskless and out in public that way. They totally get upset with me.

Colleen, do those of us with Gastroparesis or Autoimmune Gastritis have a compromised immune system? I been told NO. But from what I read, the answer is yes. I always get conflicting stories, hence my caution and fear! LOL

@colleenyoung

I am vaccinated. I have no health or medical problems, do not take any medications, have a healthy immune system. I am following CDC suggestions and today is the first day I wore a mask indoors at 2 stores. I am seeing
more young people in my area wearing masks and have seen some elderly people for quite a while. I think we are all accustomed to washing our hands...forever...and thats a good habit.

Since masks are not a problem for me, I will continue this practice and follow CDC recommendations....why not? My choice and I don't think anyone would question me and, if they do, will gladly explain. Many many people in the workforce...especially retail....mask up. I think that is a good idea even if the business doesn't mandate it since they come into contact with so many.

FL Mary

@loribmt

You do what you think is best for you. Other people's opinion don't matter. Let them get upset.

FL Mary

@gastrogirl @imallears I agree, there is no reason for anyone to get upset because you’re wearing a mask! I’ve had that reaction from a few people as well and ignore them. What other people think about us is none of our business.

I did have person walk past me in the grocery store this week telling me, “Lady, get a clue. You don’t need to wear that!” I couldn’t help myself. I just looked at him and said, “Wow, thank you so much!! I had no idea! How do you know so much about me to override what my team of doctors have directed me to do? I’ll be sure to write and tell them some complete stranger knows more than they do about my health and says I no longer need to wear my mask! Cool!” I smiled with my eyes and told him to have a nice day. Tee hee.

Have a mask and need to wear it? Own it!! Strut yourself and your mask anywhere you please. 😘

Interesting sentence… “They’re going maskless and on with their lives!” We masked avengers can go on with our lives too. Masking shouldn’t hold us back. Since my transplant a year and a half before covid, I’ve had to wear a mask out in public and in homes with friends and family. It was only awkward initially. Now it’s like second nature and actually life became easier for those of us who are immunocompromised to wear masks in public because everyone should be wearing them right now with the Delta variant. But I feel now that we shouldn’t be judged as much even if we wear them out in flu season. It shows that we are immuno compromised and need to protect our health.

My family has come to accept that it’s just the way of life for me and no one even questions my decision to wear a mask. Only when someone isn’t aware of my transplant do I feel the need to explain when they ask. Otherwise if people love and respect you they should also respect your decision to mask up to protect your health. If they get upset with you over something as inconsequential as wearing a mask then you might reconsider why you’re with them at all. ☺️