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remicade/ little kids/ sickness/ prednisone

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Posted 11/4/2007 9:02 AM (GMT -6)
I've only had one remicade so far, and haven't started the imuran, but I wonder how I'm suppose to stay well with 3 little kids (4 and under).  Two of them started getting sick yesterday and there is no way to stay away from them.  My 2.5 yo went to kiss me yesterday and before I knew it he had coughed in my mouth.  And this morning he sneezed pretty much in my face.  The baby is always slamming his face into mine and grabbing at my face with his snotty hands. We are in another city right now and since it got really bad really fast last night it might be allergies.

Normally I don't care, but how does this affect me with remicade and possibly imuran?  If I get sick normally when they do this, will I get MORE sick (more severe), or just still get sick.  And with my immune system compromised, will the zinc and the airborne stuff even help?

And does anyone know how remicade compares to prednisone?  I always thought prednisone shuts down your immune system all together (I've been on 40mg and 80mg and of course 125 in the hospital), and since remicade is an "immunosupressant" I would think it doesn't shut it down, just calms it down, so maybe I have a bit of fighting power.  Anyone know the difference?

Thanks in advance.

Posted 11/4/2007 9:21 AM (GMT -6)
Denise, not everyone gets a lot of infections while on Remicade and Imuran. I supervise a group of people who work directly with preschool age children, and as you can imagine, they have a lot of colds and GI infections. Even though I work closely with them, I still don't get more colds on the Remi and Imuran.

There are several things you can do to help protect yourself. Be sure to wash any cuts, apply an antibiotic ointment and a band-aid. Actually, with so much staph going around this is a good idea for everyone. Also, wash your hands often, and keep your hands away from your face. Many of the things we catch are from dirty hands. Take a good vitamin supplement every day and eat a healthy diet to improve your general health. If you're anemic or bleeding, make sure your vitamin has iron in it or take an iron supplement. Even though research has not proven that they have any effect, many people swear by Zicam or Airborne for colds. Make sure your own immunizations are up to date. My doctors strongly urge yearly flu shots and the one-time pneumonia immunization for those of us with immune issues. I'm sure others in this amazing group of people will have more suggestions.
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Prednisone is an anti-inflammatory drug which suppresses immunity as one of its many side effects. Imuran and Remicade were specifically developed to suppress specific types of immune reactions in your body. I don't know how they compare as far as degree of immunosuppression, but I don't think any of them completely shut down the immune system.
Posted 11/4/2007 3:14 PM (GMT -6)
Yep, I wash, wash, wash....and swear by Zicam and Airborne! :-)

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