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Azathioprine & swine flu?

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Posted 7/5/2009 11:08 AM (GMT 0)

Hello all,

Forgive me if you've already covered this topic. I'm new to the site and just wondered if anyone knows if there is an increased risk to people on Azathioprine or similar drugs concerning swine flu? There was a case diagnosed a couple of days ago of someone I've been in contact with. I'm fine, not unwell or anything - but just thought I'd ask in case any more cases appear around me. Thanks in advance - and great site!

Posted 7/5/2009 1:45 PM (GMT 0)
Azathioprine reduces your resistance to all infections, including flu. Some people find they get more infections, but others don't. Your best defense against any flu virus is frequent hand washing and not sharing eating/drinking utensils.

If you do have any flu symptoms, call your PCP right away, as Tamiflu may reduce your symptoms. And remember, at this point H1N1 is just another flu.
Posted 7/11/2009 9:24 AM (GMT 0)
Many thanks for your reply Judy!
Posted 7/14/2009 10:59 PM (GMT 0)
I had swine flu whilst on Azathioprine a few weeks ago. It was fine... I was more ill than other people around me who had it and I ended up with a horrible cough that has only just gone, but the blood work showed my body was fighting it fine. I did get tamiflu, but much too late for it to make much difference I think.

It is definitely true that a number of people of who have died were on immunosuppressants but people who take them following transplants are on much higher doses than us. The doses we take (which vary according to our body weight) are considered to be low-to-moderate.
Posted 7/15/2009 12:45 AM (GMT 0)
I'm recovering from the flu. Had fever, chills, body aches, extreme tiredness, running nose, stuffy nose, headache, sinus infection, awful sore throat, some coughing, and some diarrhea and nausea. I don't know whether or not it was the swine flu, but I don't know of any other flu that is going around.

Anyway. I survived. I'm not taking any meds, except for Lexapro, though.

I heard there is going to be a more viral version of the swine flu going around in the fall. Hopefully, there will be some sort of vaccine by then.
Posted 8/6/2009 1:38 PM (GMT 0)

I have been on Azathioprine for 10 years and aside from colds, strep throat, normal stomach bugs...I have been healthy...until I got Swine Flu.  I ended up in the hospital for 9 days, developed viral pneumonia and almost died.  Very scary and took days before I could get anybody to take me seriously. Was initially sent home from the ER with a fever of 103....told it was viral and my blood work was normal.  Please, if you have a persistant fever and body aches, insist on a flu test, simple nasal swab!  Took 4 Dr.'s to finally do this.  I know of noone who had swine flu.  Don't know where I got it. We need to start taking this seriously......

Posted 8/6/2009 1:44 PM (GMT 0)
You set one toenail in an E.R. here in Minnesota with a fever and they're swabbing your nose for flu. Hopefully most hospitals are on alert as we are and catch it early.
Posted 8/6/2009 1:50 PM (GMT 0)
I wish that was the case here in PA....I was given Morphine for the pain and sent home, only to have my family Doc send me for blood work in a full waiting room, back to my family Doc in a full waiting room, who discovered that my fever was now 105 and sent me back to the ER. Four hours and 4 Doc's later, they finally swabbed my nose. Can you imagine how many people I infected????
Posted 8/6/2009 2:46 PM (GMT 0)
Here is a clip of Ron Paul, one of the few honest representative we have explain the Swine Flu scare they had back in 1976 and puts things in perspective.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UKW8TnynuU
Posted 8/6/2009 5:56 PM (GMT 0)
Pegge, I'm sorry to hear you became so unwell. I had a very similar experience to you in London, which was why I didn't get Tamiflu in time. Couldn't convince a single health professional that I might have swine flu for the first six days of my illness. So they sent me round to hang out in crowded waiting rooms and hospitals like you.
Posted 8/6/2009 7:49 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Becky, I am still on Prednisone, with puffy cheeks and gaining weight like crazy, but glad to be alive and finally have someone taking me seriously. Looking forward to getting off the Prednisone and back on the Azathioprine and back to normal.
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