Low immunity tips

[RightSide]

The hardest thing to learn, and one of the most important is STOP TOUCHING YOUR FACE.

I wear a mask when I go into a crowded public place.  Not only does it provide some protection from other people's germs, it makes it impossible to touch your nose or mouth with your fingers.

[Chris]

The hardest thing to learn, and one of the most important is STOP TOUCHING YOUR FACE.

I wear a mask when I go into a crowded public place.  Not only does it provide some protection from other people's germs, it makes it impossible to touch your nose or mouth with your fingers.

Until you have an uncontrollable itchy eye and don't think to fast about where your hand has been or by.

[kellyt]

Stay hydrated.
If you drink alcohol, make sure to have water in between drinks to stay hydrated.
Keep hands away from face - eyes and mouth especially.
Wash hands after messing with animals.
I don't love/hug on kids anymore.  Maybe hug, but that's about it.
No buffets.  If you do go to a buffet, go when it is first opening and the food is fresh and hot.
No salad bars.  But I've found a really nice waiter will make me a salad in the back if I ask.  They have all been very understanding.
No samples at the grocery store.  I miss that.
Keep a stock of new toothbrushes on hand.  Also, buy a cover for your toothbrush and keep it in a drawer.
Replace bars of soap more regularly.  I use the liquid pump soap mainly, but we have bar soap in the shower.
Keep a good supply of kitchen sponges on hand.  I always buy the multi-pack of these.  I throw away my sponges quite regularly.
I use a lot of papertowels.  Sorry environment.
I have the Chlorox wipe in all my bathrooms at home.
Hand sanitizer in my car and by the front door.
Replace make-up (eye and lip make-up especially).

The list could go on and on, but it's really not as bad as it looks all written out.      I promise.
And believe it or not, I'm not germ crazy.  It's just become second nature.   

[staceyand joe92]

My doc said "eat right, drink water and be merry! Not once did anyone tell me to wipe down anything or wear a mask. They just said you are an adult use common sense....it's worked out so far. I have had one sinus infection due to an LWC count in the beginning (medication related) but other than that I'm healthier than I have ever been. I clean normally with organic cleaners and wash my hands often. The only thing I do avoid now are hot tubs and salad bars/buffets which are kinda icky anyway if you really think about it.

[kellyt]

I agree with Stacey  I only wear a mask if I'm cleaning up animal feces.  I was told pretty much the same as Stacey, but I do all the other things to keep from getting sick.  I'm 2.5 years post transplant and I've only been sick once, but it was a doozy.  It lasted a month and 1/2.  Don't want that again.    My doctor told me the worst place to be is a hospital.  Go figure.

Also, I was told to stay away from children who have just received "live" vacinations.  Six weeks, I think is what he said.  But that was in the beginning of my transplant.  Maybe that's just the first 6 months to a year. 

[sgcline]

I was told to never go outside barefoot and if you work in the garden (or dirt) you must wear gloves.  Stay away from cat poop, chicken/bird poop and bat poop.

I was never told anything about fast food, buffets or salad bars.  "Eat whatever you want.  You are normal now."  That's what the doctor told me one day after transplant.

All great ideas from everyone.  I'm 8 weeks post-tx tomorrow.  I'm feeling so good it's hard to remember I need to use caution.  I do think about it when I hear someone near me cough or sneeze.  Then I just want to move away fast (without being rude).

[-Lady Noir-]

I was never told anything about fast food, buffets or salad bars.  "Eat whatever you want.  You are normal now."  That's what the doctor told me one day after transplant.

Thats what they all tell you beforehand. That you will be able to eat & do anything you like. Then they lay it all on afterwards eh 

[Sugarlump]

Define "normal"
I'm going crazy from the steroids, they won't let me travel outside Western Europe, I STILL have to go clinic once a week 4 months on and my
BP still high.
Where is this "normal" and where can I find him!!!! 

Sorry, couldn't resist 

[Chris]

"Igor, who's brain did you get?"
"why sir abbey, abbey normals brain sir"
 
 
I have no idea what normal is.
 
But I was told about bufets too and will stay away from them. Sociology classes are a good and bad thing when you have to people watch for a report. Who knows who has washed their hands before touching the tongs, not to mention the people who cough and sneeze (including workers).

[kellyt]

Also, you have to worry about how long some of the food has been out.  Sometimes they don't replace the tray, they just add more food on top.  I do go to Luby's Cafeteria, but they serve the food and I always choose something that has recently come out of the kitchen.

[Sugarlump]

Still looking for "normal" if i find him/her I'll let you know!

[bette1]

Did someone mentions Luby's?   I love that place.  They don't have any here so I have their cookbook. 

Back on topic,  I was told to just go and live my life.  I avoid fast food, and buffets because I've had some bad experiences.  I wash my hands a lot, but that's about it.  I can't avoid kids, but I don't allow her to drink after me any more.  I got a couple of uti's but and a bad cold, but thats about it.  I think if I worried about it too much I'd go crazy. 

I was super carful the first three months, but after that I just went back to normal.

[Chris]

I just thought of this tonight while out eating. What is your take on the cloth napkins used at restaurants that theyy use to wrap utensils in and to use to wipe your hands and mouth. I was never told what to do there and after 10 plus years, it hit me after I wiped my mouth.

[RightSide]

Yep!
I know that all to well. The thing is to know hen to call your doctor to give the as much detail as possible.

I err on the side of telling my doctor too much rather than too little.

Last week, I caught a mild sinus infection--no fever--but I told my neph about it anyway.  Good thing I did.  He decided to test me for the BK virus, since its symptoms can resemble those of a cold.