There's been quite a bit of information re shingle's vaccine. Is there any general consensus on the flu vaccine? Was just listening to our local news, and word out is to get our vaccinations now as they're anticipating an awful flu season. This is my 1st flu season with pmr, so I'm looking for advice as to how to proceed from some of you vets. Thx!
It is a very good idea to have the flu vaccine - it may not cover all the varieties of flu about in a season but it does reduce the risk by about half every year, sometimes more. Our immune systems are impaired so we may also not develop really good immunity but it gives the immune system a head start when it meets the "real" flu viruses.
Being on pred does make some people more susceptible to infections while others have no trouble at all - the only way you know is when you do or don't get colds and so on. Be wary though, especially in the winter. Pred suppresses inflammation so it may mask how bad an infection is - if you are unwell with a chest infection for example you may need to check with your doctor that it isn't worse than you think. But the majority of people never get really ill, just as without pred.
Thank you for the info. As has often been the case lately, my primary threw this back into MY lap and said it was my decision! Ughhh! So once again, I find myself looking to all you folks for advice.
I had the flu shot last year, usually I haven't bothered. It didn't seem to have any bad effect on me, after the bruise and stiffness wore off. But I still avoided certain situations. I actually skipped my regular check in with my doctor (had enough pred on hand) and went in a couple of months later. I decided showing up in a doctor's waiting room full of sick people would be just plain stupid!
Lol...gotcha! I never worried before about being around folks w/colds and flu, afterall, I taught kindergarten for pete's sake!! I'm living in a WHOLE different world right now!
One of the worst colds OH has had in recent years was when he had to sit and wait in the village doctor's waiting room to be able to renew his driving licence! It was full and he was there for a couple of hours - and boy was it a humdinger...
Maybe we should all be wearing masks when in such conditions - the well and the ill, both!
Space helmets more like...