immune system question

Do we still have a compromised immune system?  Meaning those of us who cleared and were viri free at the 1 year PCR  Thank You

Denise

[lapis]

Good question!  I don't know the answer, just wanted to give you a bump up.

[annieCinMD]

I would like to see an answer to this, too. Mine has always been really good, would like it to stay that way.

[GSDgirl]

It is the weekend and the board is somewhat slow but hopefully someone will chime in.

I started feeling like cr@p, night sweats really bad, can't get enough to drink, fevers of about 100.8 about 3-4 days ago.  As always the thought is ""is IT back""" ?   welllll I finally realized that the kitty scratch from over a week ago is still there.  It had the red ring and now has a bump, no red lines.  I knew cat bites were bad but last night I googled cat scratches.

TED NUGENT DIDN'T MAKE IT UP!!!!!!!  There is a Cat Scratch Fever.  But it is only supposed to be a problem if one has a bad immune system.   Add the sweats, fevers, and dehydration to the lower back being locked and the neck being out and I am one miserable %itch.    

Chiropractor and probably doctor,  here I come  

Denise

[desrt]

Interferon causes a drop in neutrophils and wbc while you're on tx. As long as these #s come back to within normal range post-tx, there's no reason to believe there's any problem with your immune system. Just having HCV is no reason to believe your immune system is "compromised" (unless you're HIV coinfected). Just means 80% of the people exposed aren't stong enough to fight off the virus without outside help.

[GSDgirl]

Thanks, I was kinda wondering if the drugs we take and the toll 20-30 years of having HCV would leave any lasting effects.  Everything ha sbeen back to normal for a year now and no HIV.

Denise

[desrt]

I carried the virus for almost 30 years and my job exposes me to blood-borne and water-borne pathogens (bacterial, viral, and fungal) almost everyday. With the exception of the weeks I was on tx and this one virus, I've never had a problem that I couldn't fight off on my own, or that a short course of amoxicillin or Cipro couldn't fix.

[Isobella]

Interesting question.  Are your whites WNL?  Just curious.  Mine arent yet, but I'm only 3.5 weeks post tx.  I do notice that any wound/booboo takes FOREVER to heal.  

Please have your doc take a look at that cat scratch.  Defo worth a phone call or a stop at a doc in the box.

Good luck to you...hope you feel better.  Please keep us posted.

Isobella

[frijole]

desrt makes good points.  My hemotologist (who works primarily with cancer patients) told me that sometimes the white blood count (and ANC) does not come back to what it was before the treatment drugs.  However mine did.  I did not clear, but nonetheless my immune system seems to be intact and I am no more subject to infection or even colds than I was before.  It does take time for everything to get back to normal, though.  Hang in there -- drat the cat!

frijole

[newleaf09]

I had cat scratch fever as a kid.  Huge lymph nodes, no TX (course that was 50 yrs. ago).  Maybe an infected cat scratch or something else?

Our immune systems should be perfectly normal after the interferon finally clears out completely.   Low grade fever is a sign that it's working like it should. Hope you feel better!

[alagirl]

I don't know about perfectly normal, but do think it's fair to say that there don't seem to be any widespread issues with immune system failure following recovery from hcv treatment.  Rather, I think it's more common to see issues with hyperimmunity in certain areas both from tx and from the disease itself.  Many folks have autoimmune thyroid issues - and many other issues of an autoimmune nature - following tx.

http://autoimmunedisease.suite101.com/article.cfm/autoimmune_diseases_and_hepatitis

[GSDgirl]

Thank you all.   It was something I was wondering about but I guess when allergies and a sinus infection are also involved mine's working overtime.  

Calling the doc tomorrow.

BTW it was the cutest 10 week old half siamese kitten of my neighbors that was afraid of my German Shepherd.  My poor girl can't figure out why none of the cats will play with her, she is a sweetie and would never hurt them but they have gotten her a time or two.

Denise

[annieCinMD]

Cat scratches always are really irritating to me. They tend to itch right away. I took my boy to the vet last week. I clipped his front claws but left the back ones alone. Bad mistake. He gave me a puncture wound plus 2 other scratches trying to shove his big butt in the kennel. The scratches are still pretty red. Of course my neuts have been low in the recent past. Cats need time to get used to a dog. They will come around if forced to live in the same home, but mine throw hissy fits if anybody brings a dog around. I came real close to bringing home a rescue dog last week. It would have been crazy around here for awhile. I decided my kids aren't going to help as much as they should and it would end up being my dog. Good luck at the doctor and feel better.

[GSDgirl]

I went to the er after I couldn't take the low grade fevers, night sweats & swollen glands.  It is diagnosed as cat scratch disease.  5 days of Zpac and hopefully cured  Thanks for the answers

Denise