Elevators & sharing it with fellow CF'ers

[anonymous]

OK, so I just got out of the hosptial. While I was in a "Nurse Tech" (aka...nursing student) comes to get me and another CF person. Well we have to wear masks (I wouldn't think of going out of my room without one). So I have pneumonia and a host of other problems right now and we're standing there in front of the elevator doors and I ask the "Nurse Tech" "Is this a good idea since we both have CF and I have pneumonia right now, that we share an elevator (regarding the other CF'er who is with us)?" She said "Well you have a mask, so you're ok" Well, I know that CF'ers with Cepecia (sp) are in a different/seperate part of the hospital, so I'm sure I wasn't exposed to that...but don't you think there should be some different approach to having 2 CF'ers that close and confined with one another. That just doesn't seem right to me.
Do you think I put myself at risk? I feel like an idiot for not standing up for myself!!!!! What do you do in similar situations (if this has ever happened to you.)
Thanks.

 

[princessjdc]

I dont know, never been in that situation, but I did go to a cf christmas party this month, and they had all of us with cf stand together to get a picture done. I tell you what, I was nervous about that cause I was afraid I might catch something from them or visa versa, so I barely breathed the whole mayb 5 minustes I was standing by them.

 

[Alyssa]

Nope, never had anything like that happen. Everything that happens at our facility - children's hospital in Seattle, WA - has always been on the cautious side - I do not think that would happen here. We are encouraged to NOT stay in the waiting room on clinic days - we are given pagers and told to go to another part of the hospital or down the hall.

But they also say if you ever are in the same room with another person with cf, to stay a least three feet apart, do not touch, hug etc --

I would probably feel the same way you do, and would not like to make a habit of it, but I think you will probably be just fine. My daughter wanted to meet with another girl with cf her same age - we asked the doctor and he said an outdoor meeting would be best, which we did - but they did not wear masks - neither one of them had a bad cough at the time - they did not hug, or shake hands. The doctor also recommended that if they did have continued contact to make sure they did not spend time in each others bedrooms or places that they spent a lot of time in -- and of course don't share a drink or food etc.

On the otherhand, there are plenty of other people who think there is no problem with spending time with other's with cf -- I'm assuming you will be hearing from them as well.

 

[blindhearted]

I havent had the situation but had ones like it.

I had to go outside with a Physical Therapist and another CFer. We had mask on and where not allow to touch anything (hands in our pockets to make sure) and had to stay on either side of the Phy Ther and/or at least 4 ft apart. Even outside we had to wear our mask (if your solo with the staff you ususally do not have to wear a mask outside in open air). Due to it being summer at the time (with humidity and we were both hospitalize for CF related bugs) we alternated taking our mask off for a few mintues while walking but had to be on while standing still or coughing.

I also had a situation where I was in the PFT room with another CFer who was also testing to see if they could be discharged from the hospital. Due to testing, neither one of us had a mask on. We were sitting in the open maybe 4 - 5 ft apart. I was very concerned and nervous. I didnt think that was a very safe idea. And made that point known. Specially since I didnt know what bugs they had, and I know I had active MRSA. But they finished testing not too long after I arrived thankfully.

I personally think CFers should stay as far apart as possible. Outside or inside (just in case) and never touch anything that the other one has touched and alway carry purell because you just never know when you might need it.

 

[Faust]

You guys BOTH had masks on, and you guys were both in an elevator for probably no more than a minute or so. Were you guys making out? Was there deep tongue involved? If no, theres no reason to feel like you compromised yourself or the other CF guy. I'm really failing to see your grounds for concern, but I'll wait for responses to tell/enlighten me otherwise. We all know the standard protocol to keep CF's away from each other to stop their lung bugs from jumping around and infecting those who REALLY don't need/want them. You followed the rules, he did too, just because your nursing assistant was dumb to what CF was, she seemed to be following the rules also. Sorry, maybe i'm a jaded turd, but what wasn't "right" about this situation? Please pretend that i'm "special", meaning learning disabled, in need of extreme outward sources to explain things to me, because well, I am.

 

[shauna]

I don't see any problem with what happened, an elevator ride is usually no more than a couple of seconds and if both of you had masks on it would have been fine.

i personally am very skeptical about how easily bugs are transmitted though because i've had pseudomonas (sp?) for 19 years and my little sister (18 yo) has never caught it even though we have always lived together and are very close. so wearing a mask and being around someone for not long at all should pose no risk.

 

[Faust]

<blockquote>Quote<br><hr><i>Originally posted by: <b>shauna</b></i><br>I don't see any problem with what happened, an elevator ride is usually no more than a couple of seconds and if both of you had masks on it would have been fine.



i personally am very skeptical about how easily bugs are transmitted though because i've had pseudomonas (sp?) for 19 years and my little sister (18 yo) has never caught it even though we have always lived together and are very close. so wearing a mask and being around someone for not long at all should pose no risk.<hr></blockquote>


Your sister has CF also? Thats all I really wanted to know. But aside from that, don't forget that PA colonization and resistance can happen regardless what you do...Just being alive increases your odds for either of these.

 

[shauna]

yeah Sean, sis has CF.....sorry probably should have made that clear, I realise it wouldnt be strange for a non cf sibling not to catch pseudo!!

 

[kybert]

i dont really see a problem with your situation either. they make youw ear masks outside danyell?? now that is truly over the top and insane. i hope crazy rules like that never ever come here.

 

[anonymous]

I had a co-worker with CF and I don't think this caused a problem for either of us. After I moved he used to visit with my family when he came to town to meet with the transplant team. He came and stayed at my home and we went out to dinners and movies. As long as we were both feeling well the doctor never had a problem with this. If either one of us had an active infection we would keep our distance.

 

[fourkidsmom]

This has recently been an issue with our family. My 4 year old has cepecia and pseudo. We have always gotten together with his uncle, my husbands 1/2 brother who also has cf and is 24 years old. We were talking to the doctors about it this year and they say NO don't let them together for Christmas. 2 years ago I seen my 4 year olds uncle eating and then giving him a bite (off his food!!). I about S***. I never said anything but it makes me very nervous. I now wonder if that is why our 4 yar old has the cepecia now??? We haven't discussed with the uncle, and we still have to discuss with him the situation and they want to get together next week. We really hate the situation but feel maybe it is best not to let them together??? It really stinks!!!

Angie