Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Knee-jerk reaction at friend's cold...sigh

I started a thread with those instructions a couple of weeks ago. The instructions included gargling with salt water, swabbing your nostrils, and drinking lots of hot liquids (like tea) that wash the virus down into your stomach where it is destroyed. If you look for that thread you can review the rest of the instructions.

Since stopping work nearly two years ago, I really notice the amount of coughing and sneezing when I visited work.

Just getting there on the train was bad enough. Someone had the flu and coughed for the entire 20 minute trip in the enclosed capsule.

Then once in the open plan office, someone sneezed about every minute. Simply amazing. I think once at work you become so used to all the noise you don't notice all the coughing and sneezing after a while.

I actively avoid sick people and also make sure my family and friends know that I have a low immune system.

Yes, I'm paranoid, but it has certainly reduced the amount of colds I've had.

I *did* do the salt water throat thing - it really makes sense if you think about it. I washed my nose out with this xylitol spray:

http://www.xlear.com/nasal-spray.aspx

I've always been handwashing carefully. I guess we can only do what we can and not worry about the rest. I do think I'm going to start dropping info to my closest friends. It doesn't hurt to tell people you'd rather reschedule.

Lindy, I don't blame you for being irritated. Unfortunately, people just don't seem to get how easily we can become sick when we're immune compromised. Short of sending out an email in advance every single time you go out with friends telling them that you are immune compromised and would they please take that into account when with you, there isn't much you can do other than what's been discussed here. Sadly, that doesn't cover the other members of the public who are around you, only the ones you care about.

I got a cold recently from a stupid woman sitting beside me on the streetcar who coughed throughout the trip, but only bothered to cover her mouth when it was a 'big' one. I don't know, maybe it's just me, but it seems to me that germs will fly whether the cough is a little throaty one or a great big lung-buster. Four days later, I felt wretched. Not flu thankfully, but wretched nonetheless. argh. sigh. humph.

Hugs,

the comment kat just made about reminding friends maybe isn't such a bad idea....it may seem unusual, but......

recently i had a few people over for lunch, one was a new colleague and i remembered her wearing very strong perfume for her interview, perfume i was very allergic to. i simply asked in the email i sent out with directions to my house to please refrain from wearing perfume or cologne as i am very allergic to some. i didn't want to single out the one colleague and make her feel uncomfortable, so i sent out a blanket statement. it worked. i did it as low key and discretely as i could. i don't know if they thought i was making a big fuss, but at least i could enjoy the day.

my allergies aren't simply a few stiffles or watery eyes, i really get very ill when exposed to some perfumes. i even take allergy medicine every day and that helps a lot (with some allergens at least). thank goodness not many people (in my line of work at least) tend to wear it these days. one time i had to have the airline steward(ess) change my seat (on a full plane) because i honestly couldn't physically sit next to someone.

it feels odd to have to make such requests, but if we have to, then so be it. i think in this day of more food allergies with young children, more people talking about chronic illnesses, i do think people are understanding once they've been reminded. i just don't think that people think about these things until they are politely reminded.

Hi Lindy,
I know wha tyou mean.
But Very few times do I get sick when I see they are, I always wash real good when they leave!!!! And I sometimes gargle, etc.
But even our best friends often do not stop to think...
Merry Christmas!