Would really like advice/opinions about the risks involved in parents/carers of our precious CF children coming into contact with each other. I have read many posts here about support groups and I know some parents are close friends. My question is about the possibility of cross infection, is it a problem to visit each other in our homes or hug each other for example? What precautions do you take in addition to hand washing when attending a support meeting? My son is currently having treatment for PA and naturally other parents are concerned about coming into close contact with me. Any insights or experiences shared here would be appreciated.
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How risky is it to be friends with other families?
- Thread starter anonymous
- Start date
With CF there is always an increased risk for cross contamination because those with CF do have a lowererd immune system-especially during periods of exaserbation which are different for every person. Although it is strongly recommended by many medical professionals that CFers do not have contact with eachother, and there use to be CF camps and stuff that were discontinued because of B. Cepcia (spelling?), my husband and I choose to look at it this way.
Even if you live your life in isolation overly concerned about bugs and getting sick...and are SO careful (sometimes overly careful) 9 times out of 10-you are still going to get something. So why not just enjoy life, meet the people you want to meet, be with the people you want to be with regardless of if they have CF or not-and if it might make you sick or not. This philosophy works for us, and might not work for others but we made a very conscious choice because it is what works for us.
Julie
Even if you live your life in isolation overly concerned about bugs and getting sick...and are SO careful (sometimes overly careful) 9 times out of 10-you are still going to get something. So why not just enjoy life, meet the people you want to meet, be with the people you want to be with regardless of if they have CF or not-and if it might make you sick or not. This philosophy works for us, and might not work for others but we made a very conscious choice because it is what works for us.
Julie
NoDayButToday
New member
When I was younger, before many of the current CFF regulations came into being, we were friends with several CF families. When I cultured pseudomonas, some of them became more distant. It really is a personal decision for every family to make how they choose to live their lives. My mom and I, personally, would never shun another person if they cultured something I didn't. We just would exercise caution.
I think that being overly concerned about caregivers coming into contact with each other is unnecessary. Again, just exercise caution (ie, washing hands). The emotional support provided by being friends with people in a such a similar/unique situation far outweighs the very small risk it may have. If it was seen to be a unhygenic (for lack of a better word) I'm sure the CFF would be on it.
I think that being overly concerned about caregivers coming into contact with each other is unnecessary. Again, just exercise caution (ie, washing hands). The emotional support provided by being friends with people in a such a similar/unique situation far outweighs the very small risk it may have. If it was seen to be a unhygenic (for lack of a better word) I'm sure the CFF would be on it.