FYI Flu shot

[Guest guest]

Just sharing info -----Kiki Dear Members, Flu season is here! The flu, also known as influenza, is a contagious disease that is caused by the influenza virus. Influenza usually comes on suddenly and may cause fever, headache, tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, and achiness. Most people who get influenza will recover in one to two weeks, but some, especially the elderly or those with chronic diseases, may develop serious complications. For people with MS, influenza also increases the risk of having an exacerbation. Vaccines, which must be obtained yearly, are moderately effective in preventing the flu. Thus, it would seem to make sense for people with MS to get vaccinated. However, in the past, there was concern that the vaccination itself might cause attacks. Recent studies have not found any substantially increased risk of an attack after flu vaccination. Since the flu may cause attacks and formal studies have found no evidence of MS-related risks with vaccination, it is sometimes suggested that people with MS get flu vaccinations. This should be discussed with your health care provider. For people with MS who get vaccinations, it may be best to avoid the vaccination during an attack and to not get the vaccination at a site where one of the injectable medications (Avonex, Betaseron, Copaxone, or Rebif) was recently injected. For those who get significant flu-like side effects with interferon injections (Avonex, Betaseron, or Rebif), it would be reasonable to avoid getting the flu vaccine on the days that you inject your medication. In addition, the vaccination should not be used during the first trimester of pregnancy and should be avoided by those with a history of adverse reactions to the vaccination or a history of allergic reactions to eggs. There are also a number of oral antiviral medications that may be helpful for the treatment and, in some cases, prevention of flu. These include amantadine (Symmetrel), rimantadine (Flumadine), oseltamivir (Tamiflu), and zanamivir (Relenza). For more information about cold and flu and conventional and alternative treatments for cold and flu, sign on to www.ms-cam.org (sign on using your full email address, including the @ symbol) and choose "cold and flu."

Sincerely, Bowling, M.D., Ph.D.Tom , PA-C, J.D.Rocky Mountain MS Center

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