Flu shot 2011

[Guest guest]

I hate to bring this up, but it's time to get your flu

shots. Or will be shortly. put it on your to do shortly

list.

I hasten to say this is for US readers only. However those

from other countries should check with your doctors to see

what is recommended for your area.

According to the CDC, for those with chronic illnesses, OR

over 65, etc what we are supposed to get it FLUZONE HIGH

DOSE. That is the one and only shot we are to take. It is

also Preservative Free. Fluzone HD comes in a SINGLE DOSE

vial ONLY. Be sure this is what you are getting.

Last year we had one or two posts from those who went to the

drug store to get a shot and had not very nice experiences.

If you plan to do this, be sure to ask exactly what product

they are using. Some may have the HD, single vial, but not

all. Single vials are always advisable since there is less

chance of contamination, and a better chance of freshness,

since they don't add preservatives. The preservatives are

the part of some shots that people feel are unsafe. So,here

we are fortunate.

I'm sure we all know that we are not to get the nasal spray,

since it is a live virus, " modified', but live, and not be

around those who do get that form. So far I have found no

absolute information as t to how long a period we are to

avoid this exposure, IF possible. It would be a shame to

avoid your own children or grandchildren and then be exposed

at the supermarket. Not much we can do there however.

Perhaps a plan to have that done a few weeks prior to

planned exposure such as Thanksgiving?

Try to limit your close exposure to anyone who has not had

the flu shot. Caregivers, home aids etc should all get the

flu shot as well.

We've all been told that we don't mount very much if any

response to the flu shot, however the advice is still to get

the shot.

The archives are full of information on various studies, and

a search will find more I'm sure. Some say to take

ranitidine, for two weeks before to increase the response,

however this was a small trial, and not conclusive. This is

entirely up the the individual, but check with your

physician as to whether you can safely combine this

medication with others you are currently on before doing it.

It is unlikely that any physician will rubber stamp this

since the studies saying it may produce a more robust

response were inconclusive, but you don't want to do harm in

some other way, so check the interactions at least. I

would also check as to which flu vaccine was used in the

small trial. One post I found said it was a flu shot that

included a strain that was bacterial, as well as a viral

strain. Since each year, each region's vaccine is geared

toward what they expect the current prevailing strains to

be. This could be different depending on where you live.

(other countries) There was also a small study nicknamed,

jab and dab, which required the application of imatinib, a

topical chemotherpay, usually used for some forms of skin

cancer, after the shot. Not sure if that was conclusive

either, but the trial was done in 2006/07. , CLL

Topics has this covered, and I believe Dr. Hamblin does as

well.

Whatever additions one chooses, if any, the bottom line

still seems to be we need the flu shot. Take some time to

familiarize yourself again with facts about flu, check

updates for your area, and areas where you are planning

travel, or receive visitors from. getting the flu is never

pleasant, and can be dangerous, so take the time now.

For those currently in treatment, the advice I have just

gotten from Mayo, who are directing my treatment is to take

the shot shortly prior to your next treatment, when your

counts have presumably recovered to the best level they will

be at. Again, this should be discussed with your treating

physician. If your counts are not great, he may advise a

different approach, weighing the risks of waiting too long

to get the shot.

This is also a good time to check whether your pneumonia

shot is up to date.

For more details on the US flu shots, go to

http://www.cdc.gov/flu or http://www.fda.gov and search flu

shots, under biologics/bloods/and vaccines. Many questions

can be answered by going to one or both of those sites, and

of course discuss it with your treating physicians.

be well, Beth Fillman