Should I avoid confined spaces when dh now has serious heart functioning failure?

I went to the hairdressers a day after hairdresser came back from a cruise. She was sounding sniffy and a bit bunged up. I made sure not to touch my face and went straight home to give my hands a good wash.

I was meant to be going to craft group two days later, I decided not to go, the risk was far too great for the other 12 people, who are generally older and some are frail. I wanted to protect them, just in case

Most people just go out and about, harboring the nasty viruses which are rampant this winter so yes avoid confined spaces where viruses are easily airborne

Compromised not optimised!!!

Mu husband is immuno optimised following a kidney transplant bit we decided together that whilst we would be sensible so far as not mixing with family/friends who are known to be ill , we coukd as easily pick up something from a stranger in a supermarket so we chose to risk living our lives as normally as possible.
You need to make a joint decision and then, ask the other people in the group if they are or have been unwell. They will understand.

I would not go. It is too easy to catch or carry any one of these winter infections from being in a closed space with other people in a small room. They may not even know if they are brewing something or may not feel ill enough to stay away. All too easy to pick up these bugs and pass onto vulnerable people and it is so very hard for that person to shake the infection off once it is in them and it causes an awful lot of suffering and anxiety. Tbh you can wash your hands and sanitize them till the cows come home but you have to breathe in and out around 10 times or so every single minute but most of these infections are airborne so clean hands will not help. Another few weeks and there will be fewer bugs circulating and you can open windows during your craft group. I would be very hurt if my husband decided meeting his friends was more important than my health.

I had a bilateral bloodclot in the lungs that nearly killed me. it had affected the heart which is back to near normal, but I start to panic if I'm in a group I'm sure it does affect you but why I can't.

I have a Vitamin D deficiency, despite having a healthy diet, I cannot retain it. Despite this, my GP is only allowed to test my Vit D level annually. It has to be done at the hospital clinic. Therefore, it is not as easy as you say, JacquiG to ask to be tested.

For some of us, no matter what we do, medical treatments can leave one severely immunocompromised and taking vitamins will do little to improve our immume systems.

There is no shame in wearing a mask to put a barrier between you and the germs. Carrying a small device with a HEPA filter to clean the air is a good option too.
There are other hygiene measures, like washing your hands more regularly than normal but especially when coming into the house, not touching eyes, nose, or mouth (basically your face) as those are the principle routes of infection. Finally, boost your immune systems by making sure you have a good diet, and supplementing with plenty of vitamin D3, some K2, zinc, and quercetin. In winter our supplies get low due to lack of sunshine. I take much more than the recommended dose, but find out about these compounds first, and check with your GP beforehand if you are not happy. Asking for a test is good to see what your current levels are.

I have just recovered from Norovirus and am getting out and about again.

I now have a cold and bit of a chest infection, it demonstrates how easy it is to pick up infections, if you are vulnerable.
I haven't been in any enclosed spaces!

Just my craft that’s really affected. I can do that at home - only problem is I won’t cos something will crop up!!

Could you go for a walk with a friend or with a group?

It's difficult finding a happy medium, Avalon. It has taken me a long time to find that balance. Being told at the begining of the pandemic that I probably would die if I caught Covid and would not be treated in hospital if I did, scared the life out of me.

However, I eventually put my sensible hat, I try avoid unecessary risks (not always possible) but still try to live as normal a life as I can.

I hope your husband's appointment goes well on Friday.

I didn’t go. There are risks and risks. Neither dh nor I want to be wrapped up in cotton wool and get no enjoyment out of life but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be careful. He is seeing the heart nurse this Friday so will ask then. Thanks for everyone’s input.

What would I do?

I'd not go into a small room situation, prior to seeing heart nurse.

Whitewavemark2

My DH has heart issues and as recently recovered from sepsis. So I have been very strict with myself and avoided crowded spaces as far as possible, particularly this flu season which is virulent.

I am considering wearing a mask today on a shop to M&S. apparently masks give a relatively good protection against flu.

All the hospital staff are wearing masks all the time atm. That should tell us something,

I’m going to M&S too and think I’ll wear a mask. I really thought that,after the pandemic,mask wearing would take off in the way it has in eastern countries, but people still seem to be convinced that they don’t stop viruses spreading. And yet, as you say, nurses wear them and we’re told to cover our mouths if we cough. There seem to be mixed messages about their effectiveness. Seems to me that we lack the attitude of countries where people wear masks to protect themselves and others

I wouldn’t go. I went with my hubby Friday to a&e when he had to go because dr thought he needed to be seen. anyway I’m now in a state with really bad chest infection steroids and antibiotics as I’m vulnerable. Must of caught in hospital.

I have no intention of living as a recluse. Sheilding for two years during the pandemic seriously impacted on my mental health.

However, In addition to being severely immunocompromised, I have a serious heart condition, COPD and R.A. and a shed load of other conditions. Therefore, I have to look at the risk factors, before doing anything. Why would I be reckless enough to jeopardise my health? I have had so many close shaves, but have no intention of dying yet!

The only people, who can advise us are our clinicians.

Iam64

Caring for your husband will take its toll on you. I’d try to keep up some of the activities that you enjoy

Luckily most of my activities I really enjoy involve outdoors and as the weather has been so lousy recently, it hasn’t mattered much 😊. He is definitely on the mend though, we’ve gone by the book and it has paid off. I am determined that if possible I won’t take a flu/covid bug back and set him back weeks snd weeks of recovery.

Caring for your husband will take its toll on you. I’d try to keep up some of the activities that you enjoy

I absolutely agree that life is for living, but for a short while, during DHs recovery period, - he hadn’t been well enough to leave the house yet, - I am taking no risk.

Once he has his stamina back etc it will be business as usual.

It doesn’t amount to much to put off a couple of sessions until he’s seen the nurse and got some advice about living well with his problems.

Then I’m with Monica. There comes a point where you have to just live as normal a life as possible.

My husband had five years of no immune system before he died and I’ve got heart failure so that’s my point of view.

I'm with MOnica on this.

I would always give that advice too, to live your life and not restrict yourself, common sense notwithstanding.

You can wear a mask, wash and sanitise hands, keep windows open.

It seems a shame to put your normal activities on hold. Just be sensible. You've had your jabs.

DH has heart failure and has been quite ill recently. He was given a book of advice and information - and as a result is living his life as he always has. He spent Sunday afternoon at a rehearsal, and I will be going to a meeting next weekend.

It is a very fine line that has to be walked between living a normal life and taking unnecessary risks, but what is the point of living, if you live it like a prisoner in solitary confinement.

25Avalon

Marydoll dh is due to see specialist nurse and it will be something he will be asking. Craft starts up before then so I am going to have to make a prior decision.

The British Heart Foundation have a help line, where you can speak to a cardiac nurse. No need to wait for cardiac appointment.

www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-helpline.

My DH has heart issues and as recently recovered from sepsis. So I have been very strict with myself and avoided crowded spaces as far as possible, particularly this flu season which is virulent.

I am considering wearing a mask today on a shop to M&S. apparently masks give a relatively good protection against flu.

All the hospital staff are wearing masks all the time atm. That should tell us something,

Marydoll dh is due to see specialist nurse and it will be something he will be asking. Craft starts up before then so I am going to have to make a prior decision.