Author Topic: Vaccines for us... (Read 7242 times)

Valmont · « **on:** November 10, 2011, 02:10:18 pm »

Hello...

I still have many doubts about vaccine programs and which one a new infected person should (must?) do.

I know this is the medic´s job, but.......................... Also there is information in the site, but it is not consolitaded... To this date and many reasons, my medic never checked my vaccine registry and talked to me about this and I will have my next meeting only on January...

Which shots do you think we should check and do?

- VHA, VHB, Influenza, maybe neumococco, right? And what more?

??

(Sorry for my bad english that makes me says things I don´t want, sometimes... It is not a language I usually use)

emeraldize · « **Reply #1 on:** November 10, 2011, 04:41:32 pm »

Hi Valmont,

You may find this document helpful. Consider printing it and take it with you to your appointment in January.

http://www.aidsinfo.nih.gov/contentfiles/Recommended_Immunizations_FS_en.pdf

Em

Growler · « **Reply #2 on:** November 10, 2011, 05:11:45 pm »

Quote from: emeraldize on November 10, 2011, 04:41:32 pm

Hi Valmont,

You may find this document helpful. Consider printing it and take it with you to your appointment in January.

http://www.aidsinfo.nih.gov/contentfiles/Recommended_Immunizations_FS_en.pdf

Em

LOL, we found the same link.....Google is nothing if not consistent

GROWLER

emeraldize · « **Reply #3 on:** November 10, 2011, 05:23:00 pm »

Hey Growler -- Glad you located it, too. Not only does the NIH tend to do a good job on their publications, but the vaccines my docs gave me were there and I trusted them to lead the way.

Valmont · « **Reply #4 on:** November 11, 2011, 12:17:58 pm »

Great, many thanks Emeraldize and Growler, this is really very very useful...

emeraldize · « **Reply #5 on:** November 11, 2011, 12:30:31 pm »

Remember us when the nurse says -- just a pinch --- each time.

Valmont · « **Reply #6 on:** November 11, 2011, 03:47:45 pm »

Hahaha

Sure !!!

Theyer · « **Reply #7 on:** November 12, 2011, 05:27:10 am »

Your English is excellent.
Just wanted to say a thank you for the other post about vaccines you contributed to as it alerted me to the pneumonia vaccine. Which I am booked to have next Friday.
Take care theyer

Valmont · « **Reply #8 on:** November 14, 2011, 08:30:02 am »

That is great to know !!!

Well, I also going this week for a set of vaccines, I finally found a private doctor that has Flu shots...

Valmont · « **Reply #9 on:** November 27, 2011, 10:57:33 pm »

This question, about vaccines and shots, still makes me think...

My medic has not told me anything about biosecurity, and I realize I´m muuuuch more concerned that I ever imagine, and particularly with exposition to sick and ill people that are danger in potence.

So vaccines for us, sure, but what about the family, or inclusive the other people we meet?

It is necesary to ask family to get flu shot too, and so on?

Basquo · « **Reply #10 on:** November 27, 2011, 11:20:06 pm »

Valmont, it's not necessary, but if it's something you feel they should do then you have to suggest it at your discretion...meaning, if you can encourage them to get vaccinations without making them comfortable, then do so. I encourage it for everyone, but if it's not common in your region then they might ask you why you're suggesting it. I don't know if you're open about your VIH with everyone you're talking about.

It's a good thing that you've gotten yours so you can limit your exposure to others, but getting everyone else on the same train is not always as easy, or as clear-cut. The vaccine is a good thing for everyone to take.

Abrazos,
Basquo (Creighton)

Valmont · « **Reply #11 on:** November 29, 2011, 04:26:56 pm »

Ok thanks Basquo...

Well, I´m open with my status, I don´t have problem in relation with it, but I can be open with my status to anyone I talk here in Ecuador, because of stigmas relationated with HIV here, discrimination and offensive attitudes that unfortunatelly still exists...

In my question, I was thinking about my wife and soon, that know my status. At work, I have power to make people be shoted for flu or to stay home if they are ill; to the date, I´ve never really paid a lot of attention to that, but reading this forum make me be aware of it can be inportant to consider it... or I´m just paranoiac???

Un abrazo también pa´ ti

tednlou2 · « **Reply #12 on:** November 30, 2011, 01:11:45 am »

In the nih link, it says the pneumonia vaccine should be given again once your CD4 is above 200, if it was given when it was below 200. I got mine when my CD4 was temporarily under 200, but my CD4 rebounded within a few weeks. It has now been 3 years since it was given and I would get the booster in 2 years.

To the forum experts: Should I have gotten the booster already, or do you think it wasn't necessary in my case? For those who haven't heard me talk about it enough, I was in the hospital with pneumonia when I got the vaccine with a CD4 of 171. The vaccine is safe and wouldn't hurt, so should I go ahead and get the booster now instead of waiting 2 more years? And, do they check for immunity to this vaccine like they do with the Heps?

buginme2 · « **Reply #13 on:** November 30, 2011, 01:20:34 am »

Um, Ive never received the Pneumonia vaccine. Is that something frowned upon? Is the pneumovax vaccine recommended or the new one (I forgot its name)?

RobT · « **Reply #14 on:** November 30, 2011, 02:34:29 am »

I have never received the Pneumonia vaccine either. I know that I got some vaccines when I became diagnosed, but I am not sure if I received this vaccine or not. So far, my doctor hasn't been concerned about it.

RobT
Rob Tripp

Valmont · « **Reply #15 on:** November 30, 2011, 08:10:37 am »

I received this vaccine, "Pneumo 23", they told me I will have to do it again in 5 years more.

Anyway you should ask to your doc, our immunization response is not so good as other people, and I understand that response to the vaccine depends of immunitate system state.

I read somewhere, but maybe anyone can confirm us, that it was better to be vaccinated soon after knowing about VIH infection because of immunitary response.

Also I read that it was better to avoid testing VL for a month after a shot because it can raise a little (but that influenza shot does not afect VL).

butterfly · « **Reply #16 on:** November 30, 2011, 10:06:49 am »

My ID Doc also has a travel clinic in the office. She gave me the Pneumonia vaccine a couple of years ago. It is good for 5 I believe. I get my flu shots every year. I would also suggest getting booster shots on Whooping Cough. It is still around and I contracted it on our honeymoon in Fiji. By the time the CDC diagnosed me with Whooping Cough, it was too late and I had to deal with the 100 day cough, which gave me my Vicodin addiction (clean now), coughing so hard I would black out, go into convulsions and vomit on myself. I couldn't drive for 3 months.

My point behind all this: I haven't even had a cold in 3 years with declining CD4's and a higher VL. I listen to my doctors, stay away from people who are sick (except my kids) and try to use common sense.

Miss Philicia · « **Reply #17 on:** November 30, 2011, 10:40:54 am »

Folks, even though you HIV+ your body isn't made of frail china. If you catch a common cold you're not going to be picking out a casket. I've gotten bronchitis almost every year since being HIV+ 18 years ago, and I also used to catch it every year when I was a child. I just get respiratory infections really easily, and it didn't matter if my cd4 count was 160 or 1500. The only difference was with a higher cd4 count I recover quicker, and with a lower count I'd go to the doctor to make sure it wasn't developing into something more nasty. It helps to know the difference between white phlegm and green/yellow phlegm.

That said there's been some recent thought that even if the phlegm is green/yellow that prescribing anti-biotics for this is overkill. You really just need something like Mucinex D, or some other form containing guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine.

On topic: the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine has been routine with every HIV doctor I've ever had, and I'm surprised that many are not giving it to patients. Even so, it only gives you ~35% less likely to catch it than someone who doesn't get the shot. link

Patients should also get a tetanus shot. There is actually a shot called Tdap that protects against tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis (whooping cough).

Because of insurance issues and/or moving from one city to another, I've had about four HIV doctors. During every initial visit all of these vaccines are discussed and a treatment plan scheduled, hopefully with the help of the records faxed from the previous doctor. If you're doctor isn't discussing all of this with you during your first or second visit then something is wrong, in my opinion.

tednlou2 · « **Reply #18 on:** November 30, 2011, 07:38:38 pm »

Quote from: Miss Philicia on November 30, 2011, 10:40:54 am

On topic: the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine has been routine with every HIV doctor I've ever had, and I'm surprised that many are not giving it to patients. Even so, it only gives you ~35% less likely to catch it than someone who doesn't get the shot. link

I've been told that even though the vaccine doesn't offer the protection we would like to prevent pneumonia, they said the vaccine should make it less severe, if you do get it. Any thoughts on whether this is true?

And, I was just reading about Pfizer's new pneumonia vaccine being approved for adults. It protects against different strains than the 23 the other one does--if memory serves. Will we be seeing docs recommending getting both?

Edited for spelling

Since2005 · « **Reply #19 on:** December 01, 2011, 01:02:05 am »

Quote from: Valmont on November 30, 2011, 08:10:37 am

I received this vaccine, "Pneumo 23", they told me I will have to do it again in 5 years more.

Same here not sure about the name but my doc suggested the Pneumonia vaccine and I took it and I guess I would have to take another one in 5 years or something like that. I guess its better to take it.. what to lose?

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Author Topic: Vaccines for us... (Read 7242 times)