Anyone had the FLU with RA??? Flu shot? | Arthritis Information

 

Hi Everyone,

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm

Key Facts About Seasonal Influenza (Flu)

What is Influenza (Also Called Flu)?

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccination each year.

Every year in the United States, on average:

• 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu;
• more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications; and
• about 36,000 people die from flu.

Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), are at high risk for serious flu complications.

Symptoms of Flu

Symptoms of flu include:

• fever (usually high)
• headache
• extreme tiredness
• dry cough
• sore throat
• runny or stuffy nose
• muscle aches
• Stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, also can occur but are more common in children than adults

Complications of Flu

Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes.

How Flu Spreads

Flu viruses spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.

Preventing Seasonal Flu: Get Vaccinated

The single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccination each year. There are two types of vaccines:

• The "flu shot" – an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle. The flu shot is approved for use in people 6 months of age and older, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions.
• The nasal-spray flu vaccine – a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV for “Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine”). LAIV is approved for use in healthy* people 2-49 years of age who are not pregnant.

About two weeks after vaccination, antibodies develop that protect against influenza virus infection. Flu vaccines will not protect against flu-like illnesses caused by non-influenza viruses.

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I got my flu shot a few weeks ago.  Look at how sick your poor husband is and then think what would that do to someone who's immune system does not function normally because of the RA and the drugs that you may take that suppress the immune system.  Therefore the flu can be pretty rough on some of us. 

Wow, jasminRain has got all the bases covered there for you.  I type too darn slow with these stiff fingers.  But that goes into better detail about what I just said.

Thanks to the both of you. I have a call in to my RA dr. I just hope I don't catch it. [QUOTE=klynn141]Thanks to the both of you. I have a call in to my RA dr. I just hope I don't catch it. [/QUOTE]

Has you husband been specifically tested for the influenza virus?  Who made the diagnosis?  Lots of people say they have "flu" when they really have a severe cold or other such malady.My husband wont go to the dr. He is very stubborn. Rarely gets sick. He stayed home today and told me he's having hot and cold sweats, fever, dry heaves, diahrrea and feels awful. Hi Kelly klynn141 start spraying the Lysol and wash wash wash your hands. Don't touch your nose, eyes, mouth without doing so!

I got the flu shot after insistence by my GP. First time ever. Have only been dx'd with RA since last year but haven't had the flu for 14 years.

JR LOL_ are you suggesting klynn141's husband has a "man cold"?
[QUOTE=wanttobeRAfree]klynn141 start spraying the Lysol and wash wash wash your hands. Don't touch your nose, eyes, mouth without doing so!

I got the flu shot after insistence by my GP. First time ever. Have only been dx'd with RA since last year but haven't had the flu for 14 years.

JR LOL_ are you suggesting klynn141's husband has a "man cold"?
[/QUOTE]

Oh no, I would never do that HA! They pretty much want to dispell it though don't they?
Granted- not all men act in that manner.
I think it is just those who belong to the "He Man Women Hater's Club"

Do you remember that from The Little Rascals?
Yep! Jas, that is HILARIOUS - man flu - official, in Wiki Hi, I just wanted to tell you what my GP does, every year she gives me and my whole family a flu shot and pneumonia shot, she recommends the whole family so that they dfo not bring it home to me.  So maybe you should request that be done, best of luck, I truly hope you do not get the flu.  Regards Janie.  Why a pneumonia shot every year?  I thought they were supposed to be every 5?   I have never gotten the flu or pneumonia shots, never will, have had the flu twice in my life. I get the flu shot every year.  For years I didn't because I was always so super healthy, and I thought,"flu...big deal."  Let me tell you I now understand how people die from it.  About 8 years ago, before thyroid, or RA I caught the flu.  I was super healthy and fit. It was a year of a particularly nasty strain.  I was visiting my parents for Christmas, and my husband had to return home for work.  To make a really long story short, my parents, my kids, and I were flattened by the flu.  I'm telling you I came sooo close to hiring a private nurse.  Fevers that reached 105 for days on end...I finally called my husband who was 5 hours away and said, "You have to come help us, I can't even take care of myself."