People who have had major surgery within the last 6-12 months.
People who have had radiation treatments, including stereotactic radiation
within the last 12-24 months.
People who have a transplant of any kind
People whose systems are weakened by chronic illness, asthma, diabetes,
or use of steroids
People being treated with chemotherapy
People who have more than one of these risk factors should consider
themselves to be at higher risk and be even more scrupulous.
Prevention
Most of the keys to preventing infection are those common-sense things
we learned in kindergarten, with a few extra precautions.
Wash your hands frequently with soap and hot water, especially after
shaking hands or playing with children, and always before eating.
Use gloves to prevent contact with fecal matter, especially when changing
cat litter, bird feeders, and baby diapers. Wash hands thoroughly with
soapy water after any such contact.
Keep hands away from the eyes, nose, and mouth to avoid carrying germs
to your mucous membranes.
Be extra careful to wash hands and sterilize contact lenses. People
at elevated risk should consider discontinuing use of contact lenses
until their systems are stronger.
Gardening may not be the best activity for people at risk. Many fungi
live in the dirt, and soil disruption of any kind can lead to an increased
risk of infection. Fungal spores travel through the air, and dry or
dusty dirt can cause the spores to spread. Avoid construction or renovation
sites.
Any outdoor injury to the eye should be considered very serious, and should
be seen immediately by a physician. Any infection should be considered serious,
especially infections of the sinus or lungs.
If you have a fever higher than 100.5º F. (38º C.) or if you
have cold symptoms for more than 3-4 days, you should see your doctor.
Our thanks to Andrea
Snyder, M.P.H., Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, Georgia, for her
assistance in preparing this article.
As printed in the VHL Family Forum 12:1,
March/April 2004. For permission to reprint, please contact VHL
Family Alliance, editor@vhl.org.
