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Living
with
Primary
Immune Deficiency
 The
goal is a normal life style…not living in a bubble to avoid
sickness. Many infections can be prevented, just by using some
of the common sense suggestions below.
- Do not put money in your mouth and wash your hands after handling
money.
- Review all notices from school regarding infectious disease
exposure, and contact your doctor to discuss any necessary next
steps.
- If you have been exposed to chickenpox, be sure and contact
your doctor immediately for medication to prevent a bad case
from occurring.
- Learn good hand washing techniques (from the National Center
for Infectious Disease).
- First wet your hands and apply liquid or clean bar soap.
Place the bar of soap on a rack and allow it to drain.
- Next rub your hands vigorously together and scrub all hand
surfaces.
- Continue for 10 - 15 seconds or about the length of a little
tune. It is the soap combined with the scrubbing action that
helps dislodge and remove germs.
- Rinse well and dry your hands.
- Change toothbrush after having cold symptoms or sterilize
in the dishwasher or in boiling water.
- Watch out for fungus infections like athlete's foot:
- Wash feet carefully
- Do not share shoes or socks with friends
- Change tennis shoes every three to four months or wash
in hot water regularly.
- Keep feet as dry as possible
- Wear white socks preferably
- Camping: Avoid drinking well or stream water, because parasites
and other bacteria may be at a higher concentration level.
- Avoid or decrease the risk of exposure to sick individuals.
- Wash down surfaces that are handled by sick individuals,
i.e. phones, counter tops, toys.
- Allow children with PI to participate in small classrooms
or small play groups to provide greater control over the number
of exposures to sickness.
- Use of antibiotics should only be started with clinical or
documented signs and symptoms of infection. Abuse or overuse
of antibiotics leads to drug resistant bacteria.
- If you have minor cuts, burns or scrapes, wash with soap
and water. Keep the area clean and dry. Apply an over the counter
topical antibiotic ointment/cream and monitor for any signs
of infection, fever, or drainage from the wound. And be sure
to notify your physician of any concerns.
- Treat cold symptoms aggressively with medications at home
(see Take Good Care of Yourself) and seek medical attention if
symptoms do not resolve in three to five days. Make a plan with
your physician about how long to wait to seek treatment.
- Do not share water bottles with friends during sports or
school events.
1. IDF National Conference 2003
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