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Any paramedics or nurses with crohns and on immunocompromisers or biologics?

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 2/10/2012 12:45 AM (GMT 0)
Hello,

I want to help people by becoming a paramedic or nurse, but I have Crohns (in remission) and I am on Humira. Can a person who is on this drug or other immunocompromsing drugs work with sick patients safely as a paramedic or nurse? Thank you!
Posted 2/10/2012 12:48 AM (GMT 0)
Do immunizations even work for people who are immunocompromised?
Posted 2/10/2012 12:51 AM (GMT 0)
I'm not a nurse or paramedic, but I do work in medicine. I've been on Remicade since 2008 and haven't had any major issues. I am an athletic trainer (kind of like a paramedic and physical therapist combined into one person) and I work with athletes that have all kinds of issues. Mostly I see them when they have an injury, but I'm also the first person they come to when they are sick. I do try and limit my exposure after my infusions by having athletes see the college nurse if they are thinking that they hav a cold or similar symptoms. If I have an athlete that I need to treat and I know that they are dealling with a cold, then I will wear a mask for my protection. In all the time I've been on Remicade, I have only had to do this once or twice.
Posted 2/10/2012 1:31 AM (GMT 0)
I'm not a nurse, but an xray tech, and I've been on Humira for over 3 years (I can't remember when I started it). I get sick more often then my coworkers, but not because I catch things from patients, I've picked up far more from my family and friends than patients.
Posted 2/10/2012 2:46 AM (GMT 0)
I am a Paramedic and have worked while on Humira, Cimzia and Imuran at different times in my career with no problems. I always was fanatical about infection control procedures such as hand washing, gloves, mask and gown, if needed and have never had any issues.

The bad news is that most EMS services will not knowingly hire someone with a comprimised immune system. I was lucky because I was already employed at diagnosis and my employer was owned by a dear friend so my job was never in jeopardy. If you are not already employed with an EMS Service, you will probably find it difficult, if not impossible to find employment in EMS. Most EMS services require an extensive pre employment physical and your medication list. They may not tell you that is the reason not to hire you but you will probably not get a call back.

I dont want to scare you off from the field but I would also hate to see you spend years to become a Paramedic only to not be able to find employment. I can't speak for a career in nursing but I can't imagine it is too much different.

I am now disabled due to Avascular Necrosis from Prednisone. I have it in both knees and can sadly never return to a career I loved :(

Best of luck to you!
Posted 2/10/2012 4:33 AM (GMT 0)
Absolutely you can!!  Just wear your gloves, gown and mask. I'm a dental hygienist and on Imuran.  Only thing I've caught is the shingles and that took a long time to heal but I've been on it for 8 years and that's all I've caught.  I did catch it from a patient who had undiagnosed shingles.  I didn't see her shingles because it was on the back of her neck and her hair covered the area.  I discovered her shingles when I was doing her extra-oral cancer exam; unfortunately, that was after her cleaning and I had already been exposed.  You'll be fine....just take precautions which you will be trained to do.

Lili

Posted 2/12/2012 3:41 AM (GMT 0)
I am a nursing aide in a senior auxilary hospital and am also on humira, I havn't had a problem at all with catching anything anymore than normal. I am currently off work and humira due to having an emergency resection, but before didn't have any problems with colds or flues...I also have 3 children bringing home all sorts of viruses and have had no problems...
Posted 2/12/2012 6:00 AM (GMT 0)
in my experience, biologics only seem to cause serious problems in really old people - young people will get an occasional infection that usually resolves

but you are playing with fire being on a biologic and working in a hospital - probably not the best situation you can be in. 

Posted 2/12/2012 5:13 PM (GMT 0)
FYI- My nurse practicioner is one of us and has been on Remicade for 10 years.  She REALLY helped me through my tough times because she has walked in our shoes.  Go For It!
Posted 2/13/2012 2:41 AM (GMT 0)
I'm a dentist and have been on Imuran or Remicade for almost 9 years now. I haven't caught anything particularly nasty, aside from colds or the flu. When I do get sick, I tend to be sicker and longer (2 -3 days longer) then normal people. But you can totally be a healthcare practitioner. Just remember to always, always use personal protective equipment (gloves, mask, etc). I've always been taught to treat everyone like they have SOMETHING. I think being immunosuppressed makes that even more important.
Posted 2/13/2012 3:23 AM (GMT 0)
Quite a few of the big pediatric GIs have CD. Dr Baldasanno at CHOP is considered the best ped GI in the country and he has CD. My daughter's pediatrician has/had UC though she has not had a flare in 20 years she is near retirement and was working full time when she was flaring badly for years. Hope that gives you some hope.
Posted 2/13/2012 4:28 PM (GMT 0)
I have been on Humira for 5 years now and I work in a hospital ICU everyday. I am just careful about washing my hands diligently, using gloves/masks (when necessary), and using alcohol entering and exiting patient rooms. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, mouth, etc. Good general patient hygiene has worked well for me and I've avoided getting sick. Having CD doesn't keep you from helping patients, just have to be smart about it.
Posted 2/16/2012 11:12 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you everyone for your comments!
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