I have had Birdshot for 6 years. I am currently on IV's of 75 mlg of Zenapax every other week. I am a patient of Dr. Foster. I am wondering how careful to be as my immune system is compromised. I teach in a university full time and am sadly exposed to all my students' illnesses. But, should I avoid the subway? Should I take antibiotics before getting my teeth cleaned? I want to find the balance between being very responsible to my illness, and leading an uncompromised and active life. -Sarah

Dear Sarah I have not had a problem with infections during my time on immunosuppressants. I seem to get kidney infections when on high dose steroids - but not much else. Currently on cellcept and prednisolone. I do not use public transport much as I work locally. And I work on my own as well - so I guess my situation is different to yours, but I do have a school aged child and husband who catch things that I don't! I think I am lucky as my colleague Rea who also has birdshot is always catching colds and flu and generally feeling unwell. But she is different treatment (Humira) and all cases seem to be different I would say be as careful as you can (with out being neurotic and see what happens. You may find that it is not as bad as you feared. I think I have had one bad dose of flu in three years and three kidney/bladder infections. It will be interesting to see what others say. You might get more responses from the Lefora birdshot forum as it seems to be more active than this one. All the best Annie

Thank you Annie. I will stay off public transportation, which should help. The college students I teach are always sick, but I'll wash my hands and hope for the best. --Sarah

I am also a patient of Dr. Fosters. I started on Zenapax every two week on Oct 12, 2009 and continue on cellcept and neoral. Yeserday I was told we are going to start to cut back on the cellcept. I am a registered nurse working in an acute setting full time. I use "universal precautions" with all patients, and am probably slightly more cautious with pts known to be infected. I do, at all times, make sure our Infection Control Doctor is aware of my meds, and he alerts me if I need to be aware of any extra precautions needed.I hope this helps, when I first went on immunosuppresants I was petrified of exposures, but over the past year and a half have settled down with that....Lynn