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Covid

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Original poster

Immunosuppressed DH, and I’ve just tested positive

32 replies

AC2022 · 10/04/2022 00:27

Hi!

I’m having a slight panic because I don’t know what to expect next. I have just tested positive after doing a LFD test, I had a ping from the app a few days ago and I had a few of the newly listed symptoms so tested just in case. Anyway, DH is on biologics and is categorised as immunosuppressed, he’s had all of his vaccines and is generally fit and well but I’m worried about what might happen to him. He”s tested negative but it’s probably just a matter of time before he gets a positive result. Is he more at risk of being hospitalised or will the extra vaccines mitigate that? Has anyone immunosuppressed had it and can tell me what happened to them?

Thank you.

OP posts:

daisydalrymple · 10/04/2022 00:34

My friend’s husband got it and he did end up in intensive care on a ventilator. This was in September. He’s fine now, but it was touch and go for a couple of weeks and it took a long while for him to recover.
Is there any way you can stay away from each other until you’re free of COVID? Of course, there’s no guarantee your DH will get it off you, and it’s all changed so much with different variants, not as severe etc.

Ssmiler · 10/04/2022 00:37

Hi OP try not to worry - I know someone on biologicals who had been shielding but barely had a symptom.

But if your DH is on biologicals he may very well be included on the list of people who are eligible for anti viral treatment as soon as they test positive. If you go ahead and check this out and he’s included then you can be ready to arrange that straight away if he tests positive

Good luck

Original poster

AC2022 · 10/04/2022 00:37

Thanks.

Yes we’re at separate end of the house but I’m expecting that he already has it. Fingers crossed it’s not as bad as your friend’s husband. Glad he pulled through.

OP posts:

Original poster

AC2022 · 10/04/2022 00:41

@SsmilerThanks - I’m just looking for reassurance to quell the low level panicking!

We had a letter about alternative treatments and to expect a call from the Health Board if he tested positive. He wasn’t on the shielding list originally and we only found out he was ‘at risk’ when he went for his booster and was told that it was a third vaccine because of his meds. Hopefully he’ll be fine.

OP posts:

MarmiteCoriander · 10/04/2022 00:43

Could you stay elsewhere- friends, family, hotel? It will likely make no difference now, but might help.

Ssmiler · 10/04/2022 00:43

www.health-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/health/doh-interim-clinical-policy-antivirals.pdf.pdf

The list of people eligible for immediate treatment after a positive test is included at appendix 1 on that link. The biologicals are mentioned under the Immune mediated inflammatory disorders section. Maybe your DH will be included in that section.

Spudina · 10/04/2022 00:44

I had it a couple of weeks ago and didn’t pass it on to anyone in my house. He’s not 100% likely to get it. But if he does do you have the information about the treatments he might be eligible for? It’s an antiviral tablet course or an IV antibody infusion. It can only be given in the first 5 days and only if symptomatic. He should have received a testing kit.
I’m a nurse and plenty of my immunosuppressed patients have actually been ok with COVID, especially with recent variants.

TypicaIMe · 10/04/2022 08:13

I'm immunosuppressed (RA, on subcut methotrexate and steroid injections) plus I'm overweight and have high BP. I'm CEV (in the three primary vaccine dose group). I've just had my fifth round of Covid and while the last one in particular wasn't very nice, I didn't need hospital care or anything. In fact in the past I've had it asymptomatically.

Your DH may be eligible for antivirals if he catches it and they're brilliantly effective.

Good luck OP, I know how worrying it is but the likelihood is he'll be absolutely fine

MossyBottom · 10/04/2022 10:51

@Ssmiler
Thanks for posting that, I've been looking for it. I agree the OP DH looks likely to fall into that category.
Lots of people who were originally told they were eligable for anti virals etc seem to be refused them. That Appendix makes it clear exactly who does. Foe people with auto immune disease it's down to the drugs.
I was hospitalised with covid and I from what I have discovered since it was likely the steroid treatment that reduced the vaccine effectiveness more than anything else.

BeyondPurpleTulips · 10/04/2022 10:56

He should be eligible for the antivirals, but he might not even need them. I know of a good few people whose symptoms were minor despite severe immunosuppression - and when it was in my house I didn't even catch it!

Itmustbesomewhere · 10/04/2022 11:04

@Ssmiler

www.health-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/health/doh-interim-clinical-policy-antivirals.pdf.pdf

The list doesn’t include elderly people. I wonder why. Am I missing something?

PaddingtonStareBare · 10/04/2022 11:09

@TypicaIMe

Your DH may be eligible for antivirals if he catches it and they're brilliantly effective.

Good luck OP, I know how worrying it is but the likelihood is he'll be absolutely fine

Fifth round!? You poor thing. I hope it's the end of it for you.

OP my H is immunosuppressed (transplant) and to add to it all the fun I have no immunity due to a cancer diagnosis last year which required some quick chemotherapy.

Our daughter caught it and consequently so did I, I didn't need hospitalisation but was laid up for about 3 weeks, she was over it in a week. How H didn't catch it we don't know.

Hopefully though your H will be eligible for the viral treatment that is now available, few people on my support group have caught it then had the antivirals and they have been OK.

All the best

MossyBottom · 10/04/2022 12:38

The list doesn’t include elderly people. I wonder why. Am I missing something?
Elderly people are not an eligable group just because of age, only given anti virals if they have a condition on that list.

PaddingtonStareBare · 10/04/2022 13:55

That was a quote fail 😳

KylieKoKo · 10/04/2022 14:49

One of my cev immunosuppressed friends had it a couple of months ago and had the sniffles for 2 days. She was far less ill than I was! Your DH could be lucky like her so please try not to panic.

Original poster

AC2022 · 10/04/2022 15:18

Thank you for your kind words!

He qualifies under the medication he’s taking but only two of the antivirals would be suitable with his meds. Anyway, your anecdotal evidence suggests that I am probably panicking. Also, I’ve been covertly logging his coughing and throat clearing and he’s averaging an incident per 40 minutes of monitoring. Fingers crossed. 🤞

OP posts:

Novella4 · 10/04/2022 15:34

Hi OP

My husband is also on biologics and caught covid from our son. I was panicking too.
He did have symptoms but within 49 hours of his positive PCR he had the infusion. He never got any worse from that point .

Novella4 · 10/04/2022 15:35

Sorry OP, I meant to say after he infusion he just felt a bit fluey and was tired for a few weeks .
He was v glad of his vaccines and the infusion

Crunchymum · 10/04/2022 17:55

@TypicaIMe

You've had Covid 5 times?

familyissues12345 · 10/04/2022 18:44

My sister in laws brother is ECV, caught Covid for the first time a couple of months ago and everyone was extremely worried. He was given the antivirals and was absolutely fine! In fact, was the quickest back to normal that the rest of the family (who gave it to him)

downtonupton · 10/04/2022 21:57

I am glad I found this - we're in the same position - DH has the emergency PCR test to send off for anti-virals but so far he has tested clear. I am on day 3 and still poorly. DS tested positive yesterday and was a very faint line today. DH is hiding in his room and DS is sorting his food and drinks but leaving them to be collected at the door. Hopefully it wil be OK and shortlived as we meant to have visitors for Easter

Ready4abreak · 10/04/2022 22:03

Hi OP, please try not to worry. I am immunosuppressed due to biologic medication. Had covid 2 weeks ago. I also had the letter about the anti viral but was never ill enough to worry about getting them.

Couple of days of feeling like I had a nasty head cold and then felt pretty much OK. Left with feeling a bit tired but that's it.

Partyatnumber10 · 10/04/2022 22:14

I have a friend who had a kidney transplant as a child. So was very high risk.
He got a positive test and (as directed) contacted 111 immediately.
Within hours they had him on an anti-viral drip at a local health centre. He said they worked wonders and he made a very speedy recovery.
So there's good treatment out there now, if that reassures you at all?

Unforgettablefire · 10/04/2022 22:24

My daughter was started on dmards for rheumatoid arthritis, she caught covid from me and was better and back to work in a week. I was still laid up thinking I was dying. With recent strains being weaker I wouldn’t panic has he got an Apple Watch?

Unforgettablefire · 10/04/2022 22:26

Sorry meant to say if he has an Apple Watch you can track your heart rate, and oxygen levels if it’s a seven. Handy to have.

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