SARS & Immune Compromised???

[buzz&woody'smom]

Hi All-

My DH is worried about upcomming cruises I have, one with my BF and one with my MIL, DS'S and parents. I lost my spleen due to a rare ruptured atery aneurysm 23 months ago while 36 weeks pregnant. I asked my PCP Doctor and he did not seem concerned but that was when the SAR's first started. My DH wants me to cancel which I am refusing to do. Does anyone have any helpful info on SARS and the risks. I have checked out the CDC site etc. and it seems to be a illness that is not responsive to antibiotics and can be spread through bathrooms etc. Anyone else in my boat (sorry for the pun). I also know CCL and RCCL are checking incomming passengers and refusing passage if that passenger has traveled to a WHO alert region. I am recovering from major surgery and the only thing that kept me sane in the OR before my surgery was calming myself with thoughts of the DCL. That may sound crazy to some but it helped and I was able to get through the surgery and am recovering!

Thanks!
Tiff

 

[mobetsy]

What an unfortunate thing to have to be concerned about, when your mind deserves to be filled only with relaxing dreams of cruising...

I would think the place to start would be with a phone call to your doctor again; you can simply say that you wanted to re-check since SARS has become more of an issue in recent weeks. Since you are already presumably accustomed to taking the precautions reasonable for anyone with a compromised immune system, those same habits will serve you in good stead if you do travel at this time. It seems the primary mode of transmission is airborne particles, so only you and your doctor are really in a position to evaluate the specific risks. I did see somewhere the statistics on the likelihood of contracting SARS in Toronto; to put it in perspective, they'd pointed out how much more likely one is to die from a car accident, a tree falling, or being hit by lightening!

I hope others will have specific details you are looking for, and that you'll get an okay from your doctor that will make both you and dh feel good about cruising

 

[alexturner74]

I personally wouldn't be worried. From what I've seen, the risks and probability of coming in contact with someone that has SARS is very, very low with all of the containment that countries are doing.

37 of the 39 cases in the US are directly tied to the cases in Toronto, and all of those cases [in Toronto] are now confined to one hospital.

The unknown right now is China and Hong Kong, but so few people are flying in and out of those areas in the last few weeks, that it is highly unlikely that there is much transmission anymore. Plus, they are doing everything they can to also contain those who are affected. The incubation period is about 10 days and there have been numerous travel bans and restrictions for longer than that now.

Keep things in perspective also... There are about 5,000 probable cases now in the world. Compare that to a world population of 6.3 billion and you get 0.00008%.

My personal opinion is that this is overly hyped by the media. Remember all of those shark attacks in 2001? It was one of the lowest years on record for shark attacks. Slow news year...until 9/11 of course.

 

[AnnMorin]

Originally posted by buzz&woody'smom
Hi All-

My DH is worried about upcomming cruises I have, one with my BF and one with my MIL, DS'S and parents.
Tiff

Hey Tiff how'd you get your husband to allow you to go on a cruise with your BOY FRIEND (BF)?!


I am sure you will be ok in regards to the SARS thing-I would run it by the doctor one more time to ease your own mind though.

 

[buzz&woody'smom]

Oh Ann, too funny I meant my Best Friend. Wouldn't that be the kicker and him paying for it too ...............

 

[AnnMorin]

It sure would, heck of an understanding fellow you married!