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Flu shot while flaring?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 11/23/2014 7:45 AM (GMT -7)
I am leery of this. My GI said I will be fine...have an appointment on Tuesday to get it. Thinking of canceling. Usually I am fine with flu shot but sometimes get achy for a couple of days and two years ago got extremely sick with the flu the might I got the shot. I'm in my first flare in 8 years so I feel like I maybe I should get healthy before getting the shot. ???
Posted 11/23/2014 8:11 AM (GMT -7)
I wouldn't worry about it, especially if you have got many and done fine. I really don't think it will bother you.
Posted 11/23/2014 9:15 AM (GMT -7)
Shouldnt bother you, and if you DO get the flu, it could screw you over REAL good. I got it back in Feb and I STILL havent recovered and it forced me into a clinical trial
Posted 11/23/2014 10:00 AM (GMT -7)
You might be interested in what the cochrane reviews (an unbiased meta analysis of studies) say about the flu shot here:

Clinical question:
How effective are vaccines in preventing influenza in healthy adults (aged between 16 and 65 years)?

Bottom line:
Inactivated influenza vaccines decreased the risk of symptoms of influenza and time off work, but their effects were minimal. In the relatively uncommon circumstance of the vaccine matching the viral circulating strain and high circulation, the NNT* to avoid influenza symptoms was 33. In average conditions (partially matching vaccine) the NNT was 100. There was no evidence vaccines affected hospital admissions, complication rates or transmission. Inactivated vaccines caused local harms (local erythema, tenderness and soreness), and an estimated 1.6 additional cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome per million vaccinations. * NNT= number needed to treat to benefit 1 individual.

Caveat:
These results may be an optimistic estimate because companysponsored influenza vaccines trials tend to produce results favourable to their products, and some of the evidence came from trials carried out in ideal viral circulation and matching conditions; also because the harms evidence base was limited. Fifteen of the 36 trials in the review were funded by vaccine companies and 4 had no funding declaration.

Context:
Over 200 viruses cause influenza and influenza-like illness (which produces the same symptoms).At best, vaccines might be effective against only influenza A and B, which represent about 10% of all circulating viruses. Healthy adults are presently targeted for influenza vaccination mainly in North America.

I wouldn't take it even if they paid me to do it. It would amount to nothing given the high NNT value.
Posted 11/23/2014 10:12 AM (GMT -7)
my wife had her flu shot a month ago - she's been sick twice - my son & i haven't been indicted yet and we've been fine -

what does that mean ?

it means I've been doing a lot more around here than my contract stipulates smilewinkgrin

oh, and shots don't mean sh!t !

so get one or not - don't think it will make a difference uc or flu wise -
Posted 11/23/2014 12:54 PM (GMT -7)
Getting the shot is an individual decision. Asking this question will give you a million different answers. Seems to me that people who are anti meds are usually anti vaccines. I get the shot, because for me getting the flu is horrendous. If something can give me somewhat of a chance of not getting the flu or reduced symptoms then I'm in. As far as it being safe with UC, so long as it is inactive flu virus vaccine, and you are not allergic, it should be fine.
Posted 11/23/2014 1:04 PM (GMT -7)
Thanks everyone. I think I will still get the shot. I get the inactive one. I was just worried that if I was in a flare, the shot would somehow make it worse. This time I will go with my doctors recommendation. It is hard because my husband does not agree with flu shots...oh well...I feel I need it. I teach second grade and attacked by germs daily!
Posted 11/23/2014 1:22 PM (GMT -7)
At the very least, its not going to hurt you, and its going to make you immune to a strain or two, so why not?
Posted 11/23/2014 1:28 PM (GMT -7)
I got the flu shot while in a flare,no problems .
I had to have it before starting Entyvio.
I get the shot every year ,it's better than getting sick with the flu.
Us UCErsdont need another thing to deal with turn
Posted 11/23/2014 7:59 PM (GMT -7)
I got the flu shot in the midst of a flare last year, made no difference to my agony. I got the shot this year, not really in a flare and made no difference. I'm deathly afraid of getting the flu though!!
Posted 11/23/2014 10:47 PM (GMT -7)

Guardian7 said...
You might be interested in what the cochrane reviews (an unbiased meta analysis of studies) say about the flu shot here:

Clinical question:
How effective are vaccines in preventing influenza in healthy adults (aged between 16 and 65 years)?

Bottom line:
Inactivated influenza vaccines decreased the risk of symptoms of influenza and time off work, but their effects were minimal. In the relatively uncommon circumstance of the vaccine matching the viral circulating strain and high circulation, the NNT* to avoid influenza symptoms was 33. In average conditions (partially matching vaccine) the NNT was 100. There was no evidence vaccines affected hospital admissions, complication rates or transmission. Inactivated vaccines caused local harms (local erythema, tenderness and soreness), and an estimated 1.6 additional cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome per million vaccinations. * NNT= number needed to treat to benefit 1 individual.

Caveat:
These results may be an optimistic estimate because companysponsored influenza vaccines trials tend to produce results favourable to their products, and some of the evidence came from trials carried out in ideal viral circulation and matching conditions; also because the harms evidence base was limited. Fifteen of the 36 trials in the review were funded by vaccine companies and 4 had no funding declaration.

Context:
Over 200 viruses cause influenza and influenza-like illness (which produces the same symptoms).At best, vaccines might be effective against only influenza A and B, which represent about 10% of all circulating viruses. Healthy adults are presently targeted for influenza vaccination mainly in North America.

I wouldn't take it even if they paid me to do it. It would amount to nothing given the high NNT value.


Guardian7, thank you very much for this. Very interesting.
http://summaries.cochrane.org/CD001269/ARI_vaccines-to-prevent-influenza-in-healthy-adults
Posted 11/24/2014 3:31 AM (GMT -7)
I am in the midst of a flare (being controlled by pred at present) and I had the flu shot on Wednesday. I checked with my GI nurse prior to t having it as I had the same concerns as you and she said it will make no difference to my flare. So I had it and have been fine with no side effects. It is recommended that I have it though as I am on immunosuppressant med.
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