Help with avoiding stomach flu from family?

[lookitsjen]

Hey everyone,
So in July I was diagnosed with Crohn's and ended up in the hospital for a week. When I got out my new GI started me on Remicade and I immediately felt better. So that's a good two months I've had normal bathroom habits, which is the first time I have had pain free bm's in the last 3 years. Now my fiance's sister, her husband, and her three kids are coming to our house to celebrate one of the kid's birthdays. [we live with his mother and grandmother btw which is why we cannot simply tell them not to stay with us, it is up to his mom]. Anyways, they have all had a stomach bug for the past few days which is causing them explosive diarrhea and vomiting [sound familiar?]. I don't mean to be rude but I don't want to be anywhere near them for fear of catching their bug and getting all my old symptoms back. They are making like I'm a drama queen and that I can't avoid getting sick for the rest of my life, but if I KNOW you are sick I CAN prevent getting sick by staying away from you. So i'm gonna go to my mom's house until they are gone, but I am wondering will I still catch it by touching anything they came in contact with. I am planning on disinfecting the bathroom and kitchen utensils, but like do i have to completely disinfect my whole house since i won't know what they came in contact with. I know i sound like a nut and i really don't care because I FINALLY started feeling good and i want to keep it this way. I don't know if any of you know any ways to deal with not catching bugs from people you are close to, but any advice would be appreciated.

 

[FruitLoop]

Hi - People who aren't on immuno-suppresents dont understand hun - a friend of mine sent her kid into nursery with chicken pox and then took him to a party i was at! I nearly ran off!

HOWEVER - i myself have 3 kidlets who are forever getting bugs and touch wood ive never caught anything off them - it seems my immune system is SO over-active it attacks everything pronto!

I make sure i wash my hands a lot (not excessive here) and when the kids are sick i always bleach as i clean it up.

I dont think it's practical to avoid everyone who has been ill for ever - could you maybe just up your hand washing whilst they are there ? I understand your panic but as you are going to have Crohn's forever and probably be on some form of immuno-suppressant a lot its not going to be practical to lock yourself away ?

 

[scottmyster]

HI Jen, i would stay clear and go to your mothers house until they are gone. but, you can't stay away from everybody who has a flu bug. i know your frightened you may catch a cold.but, you may one day catch a flu bug and your symptoms might seem like a flare up. but, you can tell if it's a flare up or not. but, like others said make sure you wash your hands frequently and make sure things are sterilized everything even the tiolets.Just to be on the safe side. best wishes.

 

[Lydia]

During cold and flu season I take probiotics, vitamin c (500 mg), and vitamin D (2000 IU), on top of my multivitamin each day. Washing hands is also very important.

I have a part time dayhome, and my daughter starts preschool. So far so good. I also give my daughter probiotics, vitamin C and D in the cold and flu season.

Maybe spray some lysol on the toilets, and doorknobs and other surfaces you can think of when you return.

You cant avoid everything, but on remicade I was able to fight everything off just as good as the rest of my family. I still get a little freaked out when one of my dayhome kids sneezes in my face. lol.

 

[Mark63]

Hi,

It's difficult situation as others do not fully appreciate your situation. Provided it's a standard type viral stomach flu, if they have been symptom free for 48 hours then all should be ok. You can't avoid all the bugs that are out there, but you can make sure that you stick to good hygiene practices at all times I.E. wash your hands regularly, use alcohol gel and don't touch your face/eyes etc.

Good luck.

Mark

 

[lookitsjen]

thanks for the replies everyone.

 

[JudithC]

While talking about the flu bug, do we Crohnies get the flu shots or not? Isn't that some form of lived virus that is injected?

 

[StarGirrrrl]

No Judith not at all. it's a dead virus that is injected so you cannot get flu from it. Some people of course can have a reaction to it anyway as with all vaccines. I'm undiagnosed right now but always get mine now since I have been ill.

 

[Lydia]

Flumist (nasal spray vaccine) is live and not recommended for people with compromised immune systems.

I dont do flu shots. I dont believe they are very effective....IMO, but to each their own.

 

[kjw1112]

i'm interested in the flu vaccine question, i looked up polysorbate 80 (harmful to people with crohn's) and its in flu vaccines.

 

[JudithC]

Hmmm, I'm thinking I may skip a vaccine this year. I've never been a fan.

 

[StarGirrrrl]

Last years flu-shot debate is here:
http://www.crohnsforum.com/showthread.php?t=13618&highlight=flu+shot&page=2

(and sorry OP for going off in a different direction!)