Anyone had a flu shot.

As we are nearing the flu season, I am coming down with a cold (the online doctor said so). I do not feel comfortable at all, which reminds me whether I should get a flu shot for the next flu season. I never had a flu shot during the past 20 years, because I fear the vaccine will "waken" my asleep immunity system, and trigger huge active inflammation in my intestines. I only come down with a cold or flu once every 2-3 years and this time is the worst, as I am getting older. 20 years ago, I had two hepatitis b vaccine shots, which coincidentally put me in a really severe Crohn's flare.

I know this topic has been debated many years ago, and just want to get an update. Thanks.

I not only experience all the cold symptoms, such as cough, fever, nausea and stuffed nose, but also experience a Crohn's "mini-flare" such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloating, etc, either because the cold virus awakens my immune system or because of the side effects of the nonprescription cold medicine I took.

It's always a good idea for us with IBD to get a flu shot. I get one once a year, just before cold and flu season.

The flue shot injects you with a killed-virus (typically a needle in the shoulder), so it cannot reawaken and make you sick. Live and weakened vaccines are rare these days, mostly just used on children through an inhaler.

Erudite Paul---- I think you are misinformed. The flu shot is recommended by all GI Crohn's experts and is not known to waken your immune system. I get one every year.