Germs were an issue before my lung transplant; now they’re double trouble

Germs.

I imagine them floating through the air, gravitating toward me because they know somehow that I’m immune-compromised. I picture them swirling around my face, getting sucked into my nostrils and pulled into my transplanted lungs, threatening my very existence.

I’m pretty sure that’s also how it went when I had my lungs that were affected by cystic fibrosis (CF), which altered my life forever.

I’ve been a germaphobe my entire life. Sanitizing surfaces and deep cleaning everything are standard procedures. I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t aware of how germs would affect me. I’m always cognizant of where they may be lurking. I think about them before I touch a grocery cart, before I open a door, and when I’m sitting on an airplane. I either sanitize my hands or sanitize the surfaces I am about to come into contact with. I even sanitize the outside of my groceries, anything I get in the mail, and basically everything that comes into my house.

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The trouble with germs

Living with CF has given me a real fear of germs. It was germs that essentially killed my lungs before my double-lung transplant eight years ago. The thick, sticky mucus that clogged my airways made me prone to respiratory infections, and when germs got in, my lungs became a breeding ground for them to multiply. Before I knew it, I had a full-blown, raging lung infection that more often than not could only be remedied by a round of intravenous antibiotics at the hospital. Even then, the medications simply beat down the germs; they didn’t eradicate them entirely.

I was constantly battling respiratory infections in the years ahead of my lung transplant. I’d hunker down during the bitter cold winters and avoid flu-infested places — basically anywhere with lots of people — because I could control my environment at home, especially since I lived alone.

Post-transplant, I’ve gotten more neurotic, if you can believe that. Now, I can’t take anything to boost my immunity because I need anti-rejection medications to keep my immune system from attacking my new lungs. It’s still a big deal when I get sick because I don’t have a strong enough immune response to fight germs, so I avoid larger groups of people even more. It’s a catch-22, and teetering in the middle is like trying to balance a seesaw. It never quite lands the way I want it to.

My life would be a lot easier if I didn’t think about germs all the time. I imagine it would feel like frolicking through a field of wildflowers without a care in the world. But after near-death experiences, I have to take extra precautions. It’s not a choice; staying as healthy as possible is important to me. When I taste the hand sanitizer as it hits my nostrils, I remember there are worse things in life to have to accommodate. I’m sure of it.

Note: Cystic Fibrosis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Cystic Fibrosis News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to cystic fibrosis.