I haven't been all that long and haven't read every post - BUT do we need to make newcomers aware that they have to be really CAREFUL about those nasty germs out there?
Routine handwashing is the single biggest thing you can do to prevent the spread of illnesses.
http://www.washup.org/
It's the CDC Clean Hands Campaign. They have posters you can print out. I have them all over the office.
I have been wondering about this. I just started enbrel and I am soooo afraid. Do I need to be so afraid? How often do infections happen to people on these types of drugs?
I've not taken enbrel - last year when I got so sick my daughter who was working for a drug company asked me to go to the dr and get a shot to build up my ammunity - so I could get over and not get sick. My Dr (who is all a friend) looked at me with amazement and said, "What do you think this medicine we're giving you is doing? It's killing off your ammunity so your body can fight off the ?? whatever it's called to stop your arthritis." I hadn't thougt about what the medicine was doing - I just wanted the results. But I have been more careful because of this and knock on wood - I've not been sick.That is great that you haven't been sick. I think I am making my self sick worrying about it. My stomach is upset now! I teach k-8 kids so I am around gross germs all the time. And we have had 3 cases of MRSA here. SO I am EXTRA paraniod. My hands are dry from all of the hand sanitizer! hahaha just remember that the kind with more alcohol kills more germs. Heard that on the radio today.
I am on Enbrel and my doc told me that I am not necessarily more prone to getting sick but that when I get sick it can get bad quickly. I have been on Enbrel about 1-1/2 years and been sick with a minor cold only once. It developed into a sinus infection which took quite awhile to get rid of.I think one of the best decisions I ever made to help take care of my body and boost my immune system was begining a journey of eating as healthy as I can, and getting as much exercise as my body will allow (right now slow on the treadmill is the only thing I can do, but it helps). I cut out about 80% of the junk food I was eating and now I only eat fast food maybe twice a month instead of 4 or 5 times a week, and taking a multi vitamin every day. Plenty of fresh fruits and veggies, and staying away from processed foods and bad fats as much as possible. Here's a good article, just thought I'd share:
http://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/eating-for-better-immunit y
My advice is: don't worry about it so much...some people are way to paranoid about getting sick. My wife is a kindergarten teacher so I'm sure I'm exposed to a lot of stuff, but in the last six years with RA (MTX and now Humira) I've only experienced a few colds and sore throats. I also like the advice to eat as healthy as you can; can't hurt and you'll feel better for all kinds of reasons. Also RA can eventually be hard on your heart so avoiding other problems is a smart thing to do.
Alan
Alan, That is good to know you have only gotten sick a few times. makes me feel a little better about the enbrel. Thanks
Hey guys,
I'm not on Embrel but Humira.... I've been on for about 6 months and haven't gotten sick yet...I have 4 kids that have had stomach viruses and everything and I didn't even get them. I take that back I did get strep throat once and I just didn't take my shot that week.... but I couln't wait to get it the next time around!!!! < =text/>_popupControl(); If you practice normal daily hand washing/hand sanitizing techniques then there is really not too much to worry about.
I agree with Hillhoney. Stay away from the Airborne. For people that don't have an auto immune disease that stuff is great.