When the caregiver is sick?

[Rebjane]

So, both my daughter and I got the same virus at the same time. High fever x 2 days, cough. Mine is actually worse than my CF daughter's at this point. Her's is slightly above baseline with some mild wheezing(we have a routine appointment next week, hoping she makes it until then)

Anyway, for me the caregiver without CF, I am coughing a productive cough since this started...Maybe a week and a half ago? Do you ask your docs for antibiotics for yourself to protect your CFer? I am conflicted if I should give myself more time to get better vs hop on the antibiotic band wagon.....Funny how I have no perspective for myself...

What do you caregivers do?

 

[TreasureGoddess]

I am one that is proactive by getting antibiotics as soon as I can (I rarely get sick, so don't feel this is contributing to making infections superbugs) in order to minimize the time I'm down plus keep from giving something to my son. My doctor is on board and often I can just call in with my symptoms and get something called in when necessary. If it doesn't improve, I make an appt to see doc and sometimes change antibiotics.

Good luck, when the caregiver's down, it's rough!

 

[Melissa75]

My take on the virus vs. secondary bacterial situation for non-CFers is this:

If your mucus (nasal or coughed up) is green all day--not just in the morning--and your body aches with a low-grade fever (the initial viral higher fever is gone), you could benefit from antibiotics.

But if your mucus is pretty clear after the first morning clean-out, and your body aches/fever have gone away, but you are coughing and your chest feels awful, then you probably need inhaled steroids and albuterol for a couple of weeks.

I hope you feel better soon.