I'm 3 months into my 6 month Tx and I asked my hepatologist at my last appointment 10-7-14 about a flu shot and he told me yes, get one. But only get an injection which is a dead virus rather than a nasal shot which is live (according to what he said). He told me also to have my infectious disease Dr give me a HBV vaccine / booster, depending on my vaccination history. This is based on what my Dr told me who is well aware of me being right in the middle of Sov / Riba Tx.
I did not know that, but the nasal vaccine is actually a weakened virus whatever that means, but it kinda made me shutter a bit, why would you use a live virus to create immunity to exactly what you are trying to prevent getting?
Which makes me ask what is weakened mean?how weakened?.......this just made me think I'll never get anything other than the shot, which is dead, but carries the same markers as the live virus so your immune system can recognize the fact it needs to attack it! Anything else would tell me you still have a chance of getting the flu from the very vaccine you just took to make sure you don't.
I don't know what they mean by "weakened" or how they 'weaken' the 'live' virus within the vaccine. But I've been told by my HIV Dr.'s for years to only get the dead vaccine due to my weakened immune system. I suppose the HepC itself or the HepC Tx drugs (or both) also weaken the immune system, or at least keep it maxed-out producing HCV antibodies, therefore limiting the amount of flu antibodies it can produce. Anyway, this is only my experience and thoughts based on limited research, but I have an appointment with my infectious disease (HIV) Dr on 11-13-14. So I'll ask him at that time since I'm not having much luck via Google.
Dzdayscomin said
Oct 17, 2014
wmlj1960 wrote:
I'm 3 months into my 6 month Tx and I asked my hepatologist at my last appointment 10-7-14 about a flu shot and he told me yes, get one. But only get an injection which is a dead virus rather than a nasal shot which is live (according to what he said). He told me also to have my infectious disease Dr give me a HBV vaccine / booster, depending on my vaccination history. This is based on what my Dr told me who is well aware of me being right in the middle of Sov / Riba Tx.
Mike i was about ready to play my BS card on you until i read this http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm
I did not know that, but the nasal vaccine is actually a weakened virus whatever that means, but it kinda made me shutter a bit, why would you use a live virus to create immunity to exactly what you are trying to prevent getting?
Which makes me ask what is weakened mean?how weakened?.......this just made me think I'll never get anything other than the shot, which is dead, but carries the same markers as the live virus so your immune system can recognize the fact it needs to attack it! Anything else would tell me you still have a chance of getting the flu from the very vaccine you just took to make sure you don't.
Kinda like our parents did when one of the kids got chicken pox they gave a big old lolly pop to share so we all got it and they only had to deal with it one time for the whole family.
I'm sure as usual I'm misinformed but it don't sound right to me.
Duane
Maybe we can all get an Ebola weakened virus vaccine ?
-- Edited by Dzdayscomin on Saturday 18th of October 2014 04:10:30 AM
wmlj1960 said
Oct 17, 2014
I'm 3 months into my 6 month Tx and I asked my hepatologist at my last appointment 10-7-14 about a flu shot and he told me yes, get one. But only get an injection which is a dead virus rather than a nasal shot which is live (according to what he said). He told me also to have my infectious disease Dr give me a HBV vaccine / booster, depending on my vaccination history. This is based on what my Dr told me who is well aware of me being right in the middle of Sov / Riba Tx.
Tig said
Oct 17, 2014
You need to check with your prescribing doctor before taking the vaccine. My Hepatologist told me to wait a couple of months following EOT before considering the flu shot. I took that as a mild warning to avoid it until I was back on my feet and clear of the treatment medications. These vaccines aren't live virus, but our immune systems on treatment are comprimised anyway. I'm not aware of any contraindications, but would check to be sure.
Tig
thepoet said
Oct 17, 2014
Hello Guys,
Tomorrow will be my last dose of the 6 month Sovaldi & Ribavirin. Praise the Lord. I am planning on having a flu shot on Monday. Is this okay? I'm pretty sure that it will be okay, but I don't want to mess anything up at this juncture. Opinions and experience please. Thanks!
I don't know what they mean by "weakened" or how they 'weaken' the 'live' virus within the vaccine. But I've been told by my HIV Dr.'s for years to only get the dead vaccine due to my weakened immune system. I suppose the HepC itself or the HepC Tx drugs (or both) also weaken the immune system, or at least keep it maxed-out producing HCV antibodies, therefore limiting the amount of flu antibodies it can produce. Anyway, this is only my experience and thoughts based on limited research, but I have an appointment with my infectious disease (HIV) Dr on 11-13-14. So I'll ask him at that time since I'm not having much luck via Google.
Mike i was about ready to play my BS card on you until i read this http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm
I did not know that, but the nasal vaccine is actually a weakened virus whatever that means, but it kinda made me shutter a bit, why would you use a live virus to create immunity to exactly what you are trying to prevent getting?
Which makes me ask what is weakened mean?how weakened?.......this just made me think I'll never get anything other than the shot, which is dead, but carries the same markers as the live virus so your immune system can recognize the fact it needs to attack it! Anything else would tell me you still have a chance of getting the flu from the very vaccine you just took to make sure you don't.
Kinda like our parents did when one of the kids got chicken pox they gave a big old lolly pop to share so we all got it and they only had to deal with it one time for the whole family.
I'm sure as usual I'm misinformed but it don't sound right to me.
Duane
Maybe we can all get an Ebola weakened virus vaccine ?
-- Edited by Dzdayscomin on Saturday 18th of October 2014 04:10:30 AM
I'm 3 months into my 6 month Tx and I asked my hepatologist at my last appointment 10-7-14 about a flu shot and he told me yes, get one. But only get an injection which is a dead virus rather than a nasal shot which is live (according to what he said). He told me also to have my infectious disease Dr give me a HBV vaccine / booster, depending on my vaccination history. This is based on what my Dr told me who is well aware of me being right in the middle of Sov / Riba Tx.
You need to check with your prescribing doctor before taking the vaccine. My Hepatologist told me to wait a couple of months following EOT before considering the flu shot. I took that as a mild warning to avoid it until I was back on my feet and clear of the treatment medications. These vaccines aren't live virus, but our immune systems on treatment are comprimised anyway. I'm not aware of any contraindications, but would check to be sure.
Tig
Hello Guys,
Tomorrow will be my last dose of the 6 month Sovaldi & Ribavirin. Praise the Lord. I am planning on having a flu shot on Monday. Is this okay? I'm pretty sure that it will be okay, but I don't want to mess anything up at this juncture. Opinions and experience please. Thanks!