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FLU SHOT ? ?

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 8/7/2009 4:52 PM (GMT 0)
Just wondering if any of ye get the flu shot. In light of the up surge in swine flu at the moment I was wondering if it was worth getting the shot.  I know that the vacine is not available here in Ireland yet for swine flu.

Thanks :-)

Posted 8/7/2009 4:55 PM (GMT 0)
With the annual flu shot, I always get it. It is not a live virus so its okay to so with the biologics. For the swine flu, I do plan on getting it too when its available.
Posted 8/7/2009 5:03 PM (GMT 0)
Thank's Gail for such a quick reply. You're always at hand when needed. God Bless
Posted 8/7/2009 7:03 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, I always get the flu shot also.  And I got a pneumonia shot a couple of yrs ago when my rheumy recommended it.  The lab was telling me earlier this week that they don't know yet if they will get the swine flu vaccine but that it will be two separate shots, in addition to the regular flu shot. 

Posted 8/7/2009 7:45 PM (GMT 0)
I just read an article that they might be adding "immune-boosters" to the swine flu vaccine. In that case, I was wondering if it would be bad for auto-immune disorders or those of us on immunosuppressants. Anyone know anything about this?
Posted 8/7/2009 8:19 PM (GMT 0)
I always get my flu shot every year, and I find it really helps, I don't think I've had a flu in YEARS, even though I get colds alot, I hardly ever get a flu. Guess I'll get the swine one when it comes too. In light of the fact that we can catch swine flu easily with our lowered immune systems, we are a greater risk group, I'll get it since obviously anything that can help should be a bit useful.
Posted 8/7/2009 11:59 PM (GMT 0)
You know because the swine flu shot is something new and we never know how they will effect folks, I am of course waiting to hear how those in the trials do first. But they have said that folks who get the swine flu and who end up dying I have heard that most have died from the pneumonia from the flu not being treated quickly. I wonder if getting a pneumonia shot (I think you can only get them every 5 yrs) would give us protection? But I do think if all the trials go well, then I will just get the shots.
Posted 8/8/2009 3:39 AM (GMT 0)

I was thinking this is good we are going to have a shot for it. But then it came across my mind. How us crohnies would be effect by the shot. Is even ok for us? plus with the meds most of us are on?! Like Nanner's said I'd like to see how the trail clinic goes (and even at that they probably are only testing this shot on 100% healthy people)

Isn't anyone a little worried with taking something thats so new?! I stop doing my flue shots about 2 years ago. Once I started remicade I've never had a flue or a cold. Most important no more pneumonia I had it for about 6 months with asthma no one ever told me there is pneumonia shot. I really need to switch hospital's and doctors I think.

How can a patien have pneumonia for so long with asthma with crohn's and not tell the patient about a pneumonia shot!!!! I'm so fustrated with the hospital and doctors I deal with.

Posted 8/8/2009 4:04 AM (GMT 0)
I have never had a flu shot. I'm honestly against vaccinations in a lot of cases... esp new ones and esp the flu shot.

I have never had a flu, even with being immune suppressed, working with children and homeless on a regular basis, and having severe asthma. Either I'm playing with fire or the precautions I take to prevent it are working okay.

That said - everything I've read on the swine flu indicates it will likely be back with a vengence in the fall/winter. I may actually break down and get whatever vaccination that will help me avoid severe illness. Pneumonia, flu, swine flu, etc. I'm still looking into it and am curious about what others are choosing to get.
Posted 8/8/2009 5:24 AM (GMT 0)
The pneumonia vaccine is for Pneumococcal bacteria and so it would not protect against swine flu. It does suggest that the pneumonia vaccine is for anyone who is immune suppressed. I would think that the same would apply to the swine flu vaccine, but they will certainly tell us when it comes out.
Posted 8/8/2009 7:00 AM (GMT 0)

I was getting the regular flu shot yearly, but it seemed like they could never guess the right flu strain for that year. So I felt it was more dangerous for me to stand in the hour and half line (here a lot of doctors don't have them) with people that could be sick, then get a shot that won't cover what's going around.

I'm leary about the swine flu vaccine. I don't think they've really had enough time to test it, and am not really wanting to be tested on. The swine flu does scare me though. I may just go the route of staying away from sick people the best I can, lots of hand washing, and seeing the doctor if I get sick.

Posted 8/8/2009 8:00 AM (GMT 0)
As many of you already know this is a subject that hits very close to home to me as I just buried my sister last week who died from complications from the swine flu. She also had Rheumatoid Arthritis and was immunosuppressed and developed pneumonia. She actually passed from a blood clot in her lung that she developed due to the pneumonia. I am not trying to scare anyone but the swine flu is a serious thing and the chance that it could develop into a pandemic soon is not a dramatization. In the past I have stayed away from the flu vaccinations and done well, but I am really considering this one due to the real possibiltiy that it is here.
I realize that many thousands of people die every year from the regular influenza, but this H1N1 flu is unlike any they have seen. It is agressive and very contagious. What is really scary is that the way it has mutated so far has even frightened scientists because they know so little about it. When it first broke out in the states it was reported that people with supressed immune systems are at less risk of contracting it for some reason, but now we know that to be the complete opposite from the truth. Not only are we catching it but the majority of the those that have passed in my state; and we lead the nation in deaths; also have some type of auto-immune disease or asthma. It is not the H1N1 that is killing them, it is the pneumonia and other side effects that our bodies can't fight or handle due to our weakened immune systems. I agree with the previous post about being careful who you are around and being extra safe. I actually carry a bottle of purell everywhere with me and am considering going back to what I used to use back when I was a missionary in the Philippines which was a bottle of rubbing alcohol. We were required to carry that around with us at all times and used it multiple times every day due to the fact that there are a lot of diseases and conditions present there, that are not present in the United States. We had all sorts of immunization shots before we left to go the for the 2 years, but many of the missionaries still contracted some of the diseases. Immunizations are not fool proof but they are part of a defense. A bulletproof vest can't stop the rounds of every weapon, but it can sure give you a better protection than not having one at all.
Posted 8/8/2009 12:23 PM (GMT 0)

Keeper said...
The pneumonia vaccine is for Pneumococcal bacteria and so it would not protect against swine flu.

It's true that the pneumonia vaccine is for bacterial pneumonia, and the swine flu is a virus. But there is some evidence that the pneumonia one gets from swine flu (and similar flues) is bacterial - a complication of the flu due to the weakened state of your health. There is also such a thing as viral pneumonia - in other words, the picture may be complicated.

I think it is very worthwhile to get a pneumonia shot regardless. I had bacterial pneumonia 3 years ago when I was in the hospital getting a bowel resection - it was the pneumonia that nearly killed me. Again, it was caused by my weakened state of health. In fact, many people catch pneumonia during a hospital stay.

I recently had a pneumonia shot. I know that will not prevent me from catching swine flu, nor will it reduce the flu-like symptoms, but if it gives even a little extra protection from pneumonia it will have been worth it.

best regards,
Robert
Posted 8/9/2009 12:22 PM (GMT 0)
i get flu shot every year..better be safe than sorry ....
Posted 8/9/2009 11:01 PM (GMT 0)
Definately get the flu shot.  EVERY year . . .
Posted 8/10/2009 12:21 AM (GMT 0)
I've been thinking about skipping my flu shot this year.
Posted 8/10/2009 12:24 AM (GMT 0)
I have never gotten a flu shot, but I think this year I will get the regular flu shot, swine flu shot and the pneumonia shot. A lot of people who are having complications due to swine flu mainly because they get pneumonia (or from what I've read), as it has already been mentioned. I'd rather be safe rather than sorry this year, especially because I don't want to spend the whole season sick. This spring I've gotten the flu twice already, so I really don't want to pass anything around, or get anything, and end up missing any more work than I already have been.
Posted 8/10/2009 5:57 AM (GMT 0)
I work with GI doctors and they always tell me to get the flu shot every year. One year I didn't get it and I dehydrated because I was so sick that I had to go to the hospital to get fluids.

One of the researchers in my office told me that he never gets the flu shot but this year will be the first time he is going to get it!
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