Ask HN: Are cold showers safe for immunocompromised people?

[SweetLovableGuy]

I had my spleen removed when I was six years old and have been asplenic ever since. However, I never seem to have had the problems that are common to immunocompromised people. I have fought illnesses, fevers, and the like without any outside help, just like immunocompetent people do. If anything I feel myself more fragile, if that makes any sense. But since asplenic people are officially considered immunocompromised, I approach the situation cautiously. Therefore, I wonder if it is safe for me and other immunocompromised people to take cold showers.

[SweetLovableGuy]

I should mention the answers won’t influence my decision either way, since I have been taking cold showers for months due to my financial situation and I have gotten used to them. At worst I'm curious about the gravity of long-term negative effects on my health. On the other hand, I would be relieved if there weren’t any. At best, the potential health benefits are just a bonus for me, but not necessary, to be honest.

[jacknobody]

https://www.medhelp.org/forums/list

[SweetLovableGuy]

I've tried to sign up to ask there but unfortunately doesn't work. I can't seem to be able to keep logged in. Tried everything I could.

[jacknobody]

Anybody not a doctor who gives medical opinions online to anonymous questioners is probably not very good at thinking and can't be expected to give useful answers.

Perhaps you could speak anonymously to a doctor or nurse practitioner by telephone.

(In Australia such a service is run by the Federal Government.)

[SweetLovableGuy]

What's that?

[matonias]

This is something for a professional, not hackernews

[SweetLovableGuy]

I would ask a doctor but I'm waiting for the authorities to confirm my residency before I can register for one and it's been a month already. Can't afford a private one either as of now.

Like I said in another comment

> I have been taking cold showers for months due to my financial situation and I have gotten used to them. At worst I'm curious about the gravity of long-term negative effects on my health. On the other hand, I would be relieved if there weren’t any. At best, the potential health benefits are just a bonus for me, but not necessary, to be honest.

[28304283409234]

Please get the opinion of medical professionals in your real life on this. Not on the internet.

[SweetLovableGuy]

I wish I could ask a doctor but I'm waiting for the authorities to confirm my residency before I can register for a doctor and it's been a month already. Can't afford a private one either as of now.

Like I said in another comment

> I have been taking cold showers for months due to my financial situation and I have gotten used to them. At worst I'm curious about the gravity of long-term negative effects on my health. On the other hand, I would be relieved if there weren’t any. At best, the potential health benefits are just a bonus for me, but not necessary, to be honest.

[Surplus7421]

I observed an increase in illness frequency when I took them. I haven't been diagnosed with immunodeficiency. Drawing solely from my individual experience (n=1), I wouldn't recommend it to others.

[SweetLovableGuy]

A few questions I have, after reading your comment, if you don't mind:

- Did you dry yourself immediately after getting out of the shower?

- What was the temperature like in the house?

- Did you have anything else already affecting you negatively (like stress or sleep deprivation)?

[Surplus7421]

Did you dry yourself immediately after getting out of the shower? Yes.

What was the temperature like in the house? Around 21 Celsius with some variance during seasons, the highest being like 28 not sure about the lowest temp but definitely something within the standard range for room temperature.

Did you have anything else already affecting you negatively (like stress or sleep deprivation)? I had below-average stress. I wasn't sleep-deprived.