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How long will I be infectious/contagiou s for?

(15 Posts)
phoenix Tue 29-Nov-16 09:48:29

Morning all,

I have an absolutely awful cold, the usual thing, sore throat, hacking cough, temperature up and down like a whatsits drawers.

A friend has leukeamia and is currently on tablet type chemo, but gets very tired and is also having blood transfusions. How long should I stay away, as I think if he got this it would really lay him low?

I last saw him on Thursday, my symptoms started on Saturday.

(I'm blaming Mr P, he's had it for a while and I thought I'd got away with it, but no such luck)

Cherrytree59 Tue 29-Nov-16 10:09:23

Hi phoenix
I recently had similar problem.
your symptoms and a friend on chemo.

I kept away whilst I had the 'cold'

My first symptom was a sore throat
which I took as a warning of things to come.

Sneezing and coughing I think would be the biggest problem.
As their immune system is low they are likely to pick up any virus, where others may just shrug it off.
I'm sure you don't feel well enough for visiting at the moment.
Keep warm and let Mr P look after you.
There's always the telephone or maybe skype to talk to your friend when your throat doesn't feel like sandpaper.

Hope you feel better soon
flowers

Cherrytree59 Tue 29-Nov-16 10:11:29

Ps, my friend has been told to avoid public places , to lower the risk of infection

Anya Tue 29-Nov-16 10:25:26

Stay away until your cold is gone. Not worth the risk.

Candlefran Tue 29-Nov-16 10:26:26

I would stay away until all signs of your cold have completely disappeared. Really not worth the risk.

Candlefran Tue 29-Nov-16 10:26:49

Great minds Anya.

Charleygirl Tue 29-Nov-16 10:28:41

Agree with others, hope that Digby and OS are okay.

Anya Tue 29-Nov-16 10:40:17

Cfran smile

Nelliemoser Tue 29-Nov-16 10:40:34

Don't go near her but do keep up by phone or Skype and such like. She will need plenty of support.

phoenix Tue 29-Nov-16 11:18:55

So that means I shouldn't go to work, as that's where he is. Bit of a nuisance, as no-one picks up my work, so I will be going back to a mountain of "stuff"!!

kittylester Tue 29-Nov-16 15:16:37

I don't know how long you will be contagious but I do know it will last for beeping ages. Cough, cough!

phoenix Tue 29-Nov-16 15:25:32

Thank goodness I'm no longer a smoker!

rubylady Wed 30-Nov-16 03:46:25

phoenix Well done on the smoking. I would take care with your cold until you know you are fit and well again and not likely for it to turn into any sort of chest infection. You could phone in work and explain what you have said to us and see what they say. Could they post your work out to you to do it at home?

Get some vit C and honey and maybe a tonic too. Hit it hard and see if it responds. Vicks on your feet etc. Plenty of rest. Take care love. X

Deedaa Wed 30-Nov-16 22:46:35

It is difficult when someone is working on chemo. Some firms will make an effort to keep them away from infection, others won't bother. The possibility is always a worry for my DH. He's got an awful cough at the moment, picked up from GS2 who had a minor sniffle! At least he's retired and doesn't have to mix with people too much.

Hotmama Fri 02-Dec-16 20:15:49

Please, please keep away as I'm on chemo and keep away from public places and don't allow visitors if they have any sign of infection especially between the 7-14th day when the white blood cell count is very low. A friend of mine currently on chemo got an infection simply by going to the supermarket and ended up in hospital with nutrapenic sepsis and nearly died. That's how serious it is. We are warned about it when we start chemo and have to take temperature regularly. I'm sure your friend will be really appreciative of your thoughtfulness. I hope her chemotherapy will be successful.