Hep C Discussion Forum

Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Chatbox
Please log in to join the chat!
Hep C Discussion Forum -> Living With Hep C -> Seasonal flu – why you definitely need to get vaccinated if you have hepatitis C
Post Info TOPIC: Seasonal flu – why you definitely need to get vaccinated if you have hepatitis C
greenqueen


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 2282
Date:
RE: Seasonal flu – why you definitely need to get vaccinated if you have hepatitis C
Permalink  
 

This is always a contentious subject and crops up every year wink

After a risk assessment it's ultimately down to a personal decision. With some docs saying yes and some saying no, it's not surprising there's so much confusion surrounding it!

The question of whether or not to have a flu jab on tx brings the same response. One argument is that with Interferon ramping up the immune system and Riba being an antiviral, in theory you shouldn't catch any viral infection. However, the immune system can be weakened with tx, so the opposite argument also carries some weight. I did have a flu jab on tx and it felt like I'd had a double dose of Interferon that week I don't have them now, although I get an invitation for it each year.

It's always a good discussion, though!

Steff xx



__________________
Geno 3a. 24 wks tx 20/10/05 - 06/04/06. Achieved SVR.
Mary Jane


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 523
Date:
Permalink  
 

since I got the flu 2 winters ago sent me to the ER.. I will ask my Doc.. Thanks Cinnamon girl & Rita I believe we do over vaccinate but the flu is a bad mama jammer when we get older.. peace and love MJ

__________________

Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.Ralph Waldo Emerson

1a - VL 22 million  F2- IL28B- CT / Inck-Riba- Peg triple therapy 9/15/12 UND 4/8/14  8 wks BT ..3/1/2013 done! 3wks Post UND
Margo


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 459
Date:
Permalink  
 

Margo wrote:

Lol, we will get the " liver flu". Sorry I'm against of over vaccination and don't believe in flu vaccines, that's just my opinion. People get sick regardless, because if the virus mutation. Flu vaccines have mercury in it and isn't very healthy for the liver as you know...

***In fact, surprisingly, having a chronic liver disease like hepatitis C is the single biggest risk (more than having heart disease, for example).*** Oh yeah, im surprised alright! My mom had a heart attack 2 months ago st 62 and was saved by an emergency open heart surgery to close the rupture. Liver disease is much, much more serious then heart disease, it will only take decades to develop cirrhosis! This article is sarcastic, I'm sorry Cinnamon Girl, nothing personal please, I just think this article is too funny and absurd...

__________________

Geno 1b, relapsed in 2009 a week before my treatment was to be over. Started triple therapy on April 28th, 2012. UND at week 4,8,12,24,3 months post tx.
Cinnamon Girl


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 5629
Date:
Permalink  
 

Margo wrote:
Margo wrote:

***In fact, surprisingly, having a chronic liver disease like hepatitis C is the single biggest risk (more than having heart disease, for example).*** Oh yeah, im surprised alright! My mom had a heart attack 2 months ago st 62 and was saved by an emergency open heart surgery to close the rupture. Liver disease is much, much more serious then heart disease, it will only take decades to develop cirrhosis! This article is sarcastic, I'm sorry Cinnamon Girl, nothing personal please, I just think this article is too funny and absurd...

 

Hi Margo, the article isn`t saying that " liver disease is much, much more serious than heart disease".  What the article actually says is this...

"surprisingly, having a chronic liver disease like hepatitis C is the single biggest risk (more than having heart disease, for example)...of getting severe complications...if they get flu."  And " these complications could potentially be fatal...."

You are entitled to express your opinion, of course.  I have never had a flu shot, that`s my own personal choice.  Others will see it differently and some people are advised by their doctors to get it done.

Cheers, Jill xx

ps - Sorry to hear about your mom, I hope she`s making a good recovery.  xx



 



-- Edited by Cinnamon Girl on Friday 12th of October 2012 10:15:27 AM

__________________

Jill 

(71 yo, lives in UK)

Was Gen 3a, 

24wks Peg Ifn/Riba, Sep 2010 - Mch 2011

UND @ Wk.4, UND @ EOT, 

SVR Nov 2011 --> Still UND @ EOT + 4 yrs.

 

 
Margo


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 459
Date:
Permalink  
 

Lol, we will get the " liver flu". Sorry I'm against of over vaccination and don't believe in flu vaccines, that's just my opinion. People get sick regardless, because if the virus mutation. Flu vaccines have mercury in it and isn't very healthy for the liver as you know...

__________________

Geno 1b, relapsed in 2009 a week before my treatment was to be over. Started triple therapy on April 28th, 2012. UND at week 4,8,12,24,3 months post tx.
gatekeep


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 151
Date:
Permalink  
 

Yep my GI had a list of this pre treatment. Eye exam. flue shot, physical , blood test , and he suggested a psyc. eval. with poss. Anti depressant. I feel I made a good move going on a low dose of Lexapro.

__________________

25 yrs HepC. type 1a geno. 6mill viral load,3.5 out of a 4 liver biop.started Sept.19, 2012,Tx.Rib.,Incivek, Peg,4wk. Vl 61,undetected @12 wks,undetec.Wk 24
Cinnamon Girl


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 5629
Date:
Permalink  
 

Hi MJ, this article refers to people with Hep C but doesn`t say whether or not you should have a flu shot if you`re on tx.

I would say this is something you need to discuss with your doctor or medical team.   If you have a read through this thread it looks like some doctors advise it and others don`t...

http://hepcfriends.activeboard.com/t51020210/flu-shot-doc-says-no/

Sorry you`re feeling so rough...hang in there girl,  you`ll get through it.   All best to you,  Jill xx



__________________

Jill 

(71 yo, lives in UK)

Was Gen 3a, 

24wks Peg Ifn/Riba, Sep 2010 - Mch 2011

UND @ Wk.4, UND @ EOT, 

SVR Nov 2011 --> Still UND @ EOT + 4 yrs.

 

 
Mary Jane


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 523
Date:
Permalink  
 

what if you are on treatment? I know this topic came up before. I'm already sick as a dog. MJ

__________________

Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.Ralph Waldo Emerson

1a - VL 22 million  F2- IL28B- CT / Inck-Riba- Peg triple therapy 9/15/12 UND 4/8/14  8 wks BT ..3/1/2013 done! 3wks Post UND
Neil_Canuck


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 228
Date:
Permalink  
 

I had the same problem Malcolm. I ended uo doing a search for flu shot on the home page and going from there. 



__________________

58 yrs, cirrhotic, Genotype 1b 48 weeks Victrelis triple, SOT 7/13/12 victrelis started week 5. Starting VL 4,000,000  Wk 8 33 copies  Wk 24 UND, EOT UND 6 months post Tx DET. The battle goes on.
mallani


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 3398
Date:
Permalink  
 

Hi Jill, I can't get this link to work, even if I go to HepC Trust?



__________________

Geno 1b, IL28B CT,  x3 prior relapser,  ex-cirrhotic, 75 yo, did 48 weeks with Victrelis/Peg./Riba.  VL 1.28m at start, UNDET. at 8 ,12 ,16 ,24 ,30  and 48 weeks.  EOT 15 Feb 2013 , UNDET. at EOT + 28 weeks. SVR!  Still Undet. at EOT +5 years

Malcolm
Cinnamon Girl


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 5629
Date:
Permalink  
 

Sorry guys, I`ve corrected it, try it now..

I usually check my links but it was late and I was tired...yawn  Thanks for pointing it out ~ Jill xx





-- Edited by Cinnamon Girl on Thursday 11th of October 2012 08:35:17 AM

__________________

Jill 

(71 yo, lives in UK)

Was Gen 3a, 

24wks Peg Ifn/Riba, Sep 2010 - Mch 2011

UND @ Wk.4, UND @ EOT, 

SVR Nov 2011 --> Still UND @ EOT + 4 yrs.

 

 
Cinnamon Girl


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 5629
Date:
Permalink  
 

Seasonal flu - why you definitely need to get vaccinated if you have hepatitis C

Brand new research by the Health Protection Agency and by Health protection Scotland has shown that people with chronic liver disease are much, much more likely to develop severe complications if they get flu.

Full article from the Hep C Trust...(edit - link corrected)

http://www.hepctrust.org.uk/News_Resources/news/2012/October/Seasonal+flu++why+you+definitely+need+to+get+vaccinated+if+you+have+hepatitis+C

 





-- Edited by Cinnamon Girl on Thursday 11th of October 2012 08:31:29 AM

__________________

Jill 

(71 yo, lives in UK)

Was Gen 3a, 

24wks Peg Ifn/Riba, Sep 2010 - Mch 2011

UND @ Wk.4, UND @ EOT, 

SVR Nov 2011 --> Still UND @ EOT + 4 yrs.

 

 
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
Hep C Discussion Forum -> Living With Hep C -> Seasonal flu – why you definitely need to get vaccinated if you have hepatitis C
Legal Disclaimer:

THIS FORUM, IT'S OWNERS, ADMINISTRATORS, MODERATORS AND MEMBERS DO NOT AT ANY TIME GIVE MEDICAL ADVICE AND IN ALL CASES REFER ANYONE HERE TO SEEK APPROPRIATE MEDICAL ADVICE FROM THEIR DOCTOR.