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Autoimmune disease?

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Posted 5/9/2013 5:50 PM (GMT 0)
I have UC and my sister has some type of flu. Is it dangerous for me to catch it? What does autoimmune mean exactly? What if she had something like strep throat, where you have to have an antibiotic? Would it be dangerous for me to catch it, then? What would happen? Should I stay away from her? I'm new to all of this.
Posted 5/9/2013 6:17 PM (GMT 0)
Your UC might be an autoimmune condition (no one really knows) but I think it's discussed that way in terms of your immune system overreacting to benign stimulation, kind of like you're having an allergic reaction to normal things in your bowel. (I'M NOT SAYING UC IS AN ALLERGY).

When you say your sister has "a flu," what do you mean? Does she have influenza (cough, fever, body aches) or does she have diarrhea? If she has diarrhea, you should probably stay away, because any bowel virus you catch is going to make your UC worse. If you catch influenza from her, you're going to be miserable enough just from the illness. The complications that UC might have for you is if you get a post-flu bacterial infection - treating with antibiotics can be complicated for someone with UC because antibiotics disrupt healthy bowel bacteria, which might trigger a UC flare for you.

Strep infections are not very contagious but if you get one you will have to work out the gut bacteria disruption from the antibiotics.
Posted 5/9/2013 6:29 PM (GMT 0)
It looks like influenza. Vomiting, nausea, possible fever, etc...we're taking her to the doc in a few hours. Thank you for answering my questions!
Posted 5/9/2013 6:34 PM (GMT 0)
vomiting and nausea are not influenza. Sounds like a gastric virus.
Posted 5/9/2013 8:34 PM (GMT 0)
Basically UC is considered an Autoimmune disease seeing that our body attacks our own colon! boo :( ... UC alone will not allow for you to catch everything in sight. The only thing that will up your chances is the medicine you are put on. For example I'm on Imuran which is an autoimmune suppressant which allows for my body to become more susceptible to catch something like the flu or strep throat. What meds are you on?
Posted 5/9/2013 9:25 PM (GMT 0)
Check my signature.
Posted 5/9/2013 9:38 PM (GMT 0)
The steroids you're taking will lower your immune response and make you more susceptible to the flu and it will be harder to fight off. Also why UC is "autoimmune", since lowering the immune system removes the symptoms of UC in most cases.
Posted 5/10/2013 3:29 PM (GMT 0)
I think it's wise for IBDers to limit their exposure, as much as possible, to any type of infectious viral or bacterial illness. BUT, I'd say it's especially critical that they stay away from digestive bugs. The stomach or intestinal virus that's a self-limiting, 24 hour bug for the average person can land an IBDer in the hospital and cause weeks of misery. It seems hard-hearted, but I'd advise you to limit your contact with your sister as much as you can.

For what it's worth, I strongly believe my UC is autoimmune. Although I've learned how to manage my UC and have been in remission for years, other autoimmune conditions have popped up – Raynaud's, chronic fatigue – indicating I've still not resolved some underlying issues.
Posted 5/12/2013 2:32 AM (GMT 0)
I am new to all this but I can tell you my experience with being on a corticosteroid was that i caught a bad bacterial infection which called for discloure to the health department. The nurse there told me even shopping at the grocery store and touching the cart could have been the source. So I am very careful in public now about keeping my hands washed or using hand gel. If I had a friend that was sick with anthing contagious I would stay away from her until her symptoms are gone. Just my experience. I'm sure there might be others who would disagree with me.
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