Aa
Viral and bacterial infections
Does anyone know the answer to this?
Is it true that when TX'ing you can't get viral infections because the peg/riba combo is already an anti-viral agent and kills off other viruses in addition to the hep-c?
If that's true then wouldn't it mean all/most infections are bacterial?
As usual, I'm confused so any clarification would be appreciated. Just use a lot of one and two syllable words in your explanation. (G)
wyntre
Is it true that when TX'ing you can't get viral infections because the peg/riba combo is already an anti-viral agent and kills off other viruses in addition to the hep-c?
If that's true then wouldn't it mean all/most infections are bacterial?
As usual, I'm confused so any clarification would be appreciated. Just use a lot of one and two syllable words in your explanation. (G)
wyntre
Thanks very much for your explanation. Guess I'll stay on the bactrin another couple of weeks.
Forseegood,
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy!
That's it. Great show.
wyntre
Forseegood,
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy!
That's it. Great show.
wyntre
Yeah, I'd be interested in reading the study. I notice you say *more bacterial infections* as in frequency of or quantity. My concern is severity and ability to heal from. In my line of work I regularly get slight cuts/lacerations that usually heal quickly - not so quickly on tx and for a considerable time after, even though neuts, WBC, etc. were all back to normal one month after quitting tx.
hey, I'd rather have a case of the sniffles then this hitchhiker ANY DAY....and I'm glad youre talking tonsils:) sorry, gotta be turkey day coma...
No colds during tx and only one in a year and a half post tx. Must be the interferon.
As to bacterial infections, a newer study suggests that tx induced neutropenia (sp?) (low ANC) is not associated with more bacterial infections than in a no tx control group. This particular study argues then against both peg reduction as well as Neupogen intervention with low wbc and ANC. Have it somewhere on my other computer (one that crashed) but will post if anyone interested when its up and running.
-- Jim
As to bacterial infections, a newer study suggests that tx induced neutropenia (sp?) (low ANC) is not associated with more bacterial infections than in a no tx control group. This particular study argues then against both peg reduction as well as Neupogen intervention with low wbc and ANC. Have it somewhere on my other computer (one that crashed) but will post if anyone interested when its up and running.
-- Jim
Oh yeah another thing about getting my SVR...my tonsils have been inflamed for so many years I can't even remember how long it's been anymore. They've probably been inflamed since I was initially infected in '83. But now that I'm 6 months post tx and SVR?? They're as flat as a pancake, completely deflated and not inflamed in any way. They've been like that during my entire treatment too (went UND at week 2).
I'm the same way when it comes to almost never getting colds or flus. I mean almost NEVER. The best I usually get is a sort of pre-cold, where I feel a little more run down and as if a cold is coming on. But invariably within a day, that flu feeling goes away and I return to normal again. I've been convinced for years that the reason I don't get sick is because I'm already sick with HCV. And yes I was symptomatic with HCV since I've had it (fatigue mostly).
The thing I'm wondering about now, is that with my newly acquired SVR status I wonder if my cold-free "bonus" from having HCV will now fade away too. I've already felt a few sore throat events in the past few months. Oh well, if I have to get sick now once in a while just like everyone else in exchange for being cured of HCV - I'll take it!
The thing I'm wondering about now, is that with my newly acquired SVR status I wonder if my cold-free "bonus" from having HCV will now fade away too. I've already felt a few sore throat events in the past few months. Oh well, if I have to get sick now once in a while just like everyone else in exchange for being cured of HCV - I'll take it!
interesting, from what I suss out and actually understand, but I think I get you...what I think is odd is that since I've been mildly symptomatic with this disease, a few years or so...I haven't gotten one cold, one case of flu, nada...And I used to get a cold every once in awhile, and a flu even more infrequently....but I haven't had either in more than 6 years (I also take supplements, etc but maybe that's beside the point, and a point I don't particularly want to pursue here:)....even being with kid I take care of, who could be as sick as anything...
my doc told me that it's because my immune system is at such a high pitch fighting off this virus, that nothing else gets through...interesting anyway....hope everyone has a happy thanksgiving! you too HR!
my doc told me that it's because my immune system is at such a high pitch fighting off this virus, that nothing else gets through...interesting anyway....hope everyone has a happy thanksgiving! you too HR!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
As a rule of thumb , Interferon is moderately protective against a variety of viral infections.
However, the detailed mechanisms by which a specific viral infection is responded to and the dynamics of local viral eg mucosal spread - like in the throat at common colds - are quite variable and, particular in cases where the adaptive immunity is the prevailing mechanism, IFN does not provide such a great primary protection as one would hope.
While the innate immune system - like NKcells and dendritic cells, macrophages, are certainly prestimulated by IFN, the intensified local inflammatory reaction on the site at viral entry in the mucosa can lead to selective functional deficiencies
(because inflammation/molecular damage is a problem to immune cells functionality to a degree as well)
in the immune system itself. Sounds complicated and it is.
A second rule of thumb is, that the antibacterial defense is, by reduction of Neutrophils, somewhat hampered during IFN therapy and good precautions are in order.
However, the detailed mechanisms by which a specific viral infection is responded to and the dynamics of local viral eg mucosal spread - like in the throat at common colds - are quite variable and, particular in cases where the adaptive immunity is the prevailing mechanism, IFN does not provide such a great primary protection as one would hope.
While the innate immune system - like NKcells and dendritic cells, macrophages, are certainly prestimulated by IFN, the intensified local inflammatory reaction on the site at viral entry in the mucosa can lead to selective functional deficiencies
(because inflammation/molecular damage is a problem to immune cells functionality to a degree as well)
in the immune system itself. Sounds complicated and it is.
A second rule of thumb is, that the antibacterial defense is, by reduction of Neutrophils, somewhat hampered during IFN therapy and good precautions are in order.
My experience on tx was 'bacteial infections worse, viral problems non-existent' - but that's just one person's experience. I would be interested in what HR might have to say on this topic. I'm sure, as your NP implied, it's a little more complicated than what I stated. I know I didn't bother with a flu shot the winter I tx'd or the year after and I was the 'wellest I've ever been. Again, maybe just coincidence.
"When my np asked if I had the flu shot yet, I said no, figured I didn't need it because of the tx drugs.
She laughed and said "it doesn't work like that""
You mean my theory is faulty? *g*
And I thought I'd finally discovered the cause of life, the universe and everything else.
(Anyone remember that show?)
wyntre
She laughed and said "it doesn't work like that""
You mean my theory is faulty? *g*
And I thought I'd finally discovered the cause of life, the universe and everything else.
(Anyone remember that show?)
wyntre
I bring this up 'coz my new PCP told me 2 or 3 weeks ago that I might have a 'viral infection.'
Since then I've gotten worse.
I've had dozens of sinus infections and I know all too well what they feel like. I'm just wondering if I should have insisted on the antibiotics then.
A friend who recently finished TX pointed out that the anti-viral meds we take preclude the possibility of viral infections.
wyntre
Since then I've gotten worse.
I've had dozens of sinus infections and I know all too well what they feel like. I'm just wondering if I should have insisted on the antibiotics then.
A friend who recently finished TX pointed out that the anti-viral meds we take preclude the possibility of viral infections.
wyntre
I can't remember when I had the flu last
--------------------------------------------------------------
should have read ,,,,,"I can't remember when I was sick last"
--------------------------------------------------------------
should have read ,,,,,"I can't remember when I was sick last"
I never had a flu shot before. And someone once told me that there are so many different strains of flu that the shot might not be the one that you need. I don't know whether that is true, but I didn't take the shot when my nurse came in. She said No? I said no, except for having hep I can't remember when I had the flu last - maybe as a kid so I really didn't feel it necessary. Hope I don't regret it.
When my np asked if I had the flu shot yet, I said no, figured I didn't need it because of the tx drugs.
She laughed and said "it doesn't work like that"....a minute latter,another nurse came in and jabbed me with a knitting needle sized syringe (looked that way after using the peg needles(g)) and I had my flu shot....;^)
She laughed and said "it doesn't work like that"....a minute latter,another nurse came in and jabbed me with a knitting needle sized syringe (looked that way after using the peg needles(g)) and I had my flu shot....;^)
When I take my mother to her Oncologist alot of the people on chemo wear masks to avoid the germs.
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