Flu shot - Its that time of year again

[Jim Allen]

Got mine booked for the 23rd of Sept, so early for me this year.

Jim

https://www.poz.com/article/hiv-flu-vaccine-15489-7591

https://www.poz.com/article/cdc-updates-vaccine-guidelines-hpv-hepatitis-flu

[Ptrk3]

Timely and good reminder, Jim.

Mine is scheduled for September 18. 

For those 50 and over, a pneumonia vaccine should also be administered once every five years.

[paintedroom]

Yeah,thanks for the reminder Jim.

I have bloods on the 18th,think i`ll suggest it then.

[harleymc]

The southern hemisphere, has had two distinct waves of flu this winter just gone, highest ever reported number of cases this year in Australia.

Get your shots!

[Azrael2012]

I'm not sure if il get mine this year, I didn't for the past two years and missed the flu. I've to have a med change in a few weeks from Atripla to I don't know what. Have to wait until end of October to see what il end up getting.

[Jim Allen]

Lucky man missing the flu.

Don't think the med switch would be a problem for a vaccine of the flu but ask your doctor in October.

[Ptrk3]

As I mentioned (as an inhabitant of the Northern Hemisphere) in an earlier post, I got my flu shot Monday.

I also got the PCV13 pneumonia vaccine.  Folks should think of getting this one, too (you can get it at the same time).

Here's a link to info on that:

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/771578

Most relevant paragraph from the link:

On December 30, 2011, the FDA expanded use of PCV13 to adults aged 50 years or older, but it was not until June 2012 that ACIP made its recommendations on the use of PCV13 in adults. ACIP recommends it for adults aged 19 years or older, but only if they're immunocompromised. This includes patients with functional or anatomic asplenia, HIV infection, cancer, advanced kidney disease, or another immunocompromising condition. Note: Currently, PCV13 is not FDA-approved for patients aged 9-49 years.

[vrsan]

Can't have mine yet. Here they wont administer it if you're below 300.
I'll know the new numbers in November but not holding my breath.

[kentfrat1783]

Hi,

This week was odd.  I setup a flu shot clinic this week for my work but I didn't get it (first time in at least 10 years that I didn't get it at work).  I am holding off till at least next week to see what my ID doctor says.  Also going to check to see what other immunizations I need.

I'm just nervous about putting anything into my body if he doesn't say it's OK.  Also want it documented in my medical file just so anyone that pulls my records know what happened. 
 
It was funny on another point as well.  As I was helping out getting my coworkers signed up and copying their insurance cards I put on the medical gloves for the two hour span.  They know I've been sick but don't know how sick so they didn't even ask.  Yes overly cautious but I don't want to get sick.

Kenneth

[Wade]

Got my flu shot last Monday

I missed my shot one year, not intentionally but because they weren't available till late.
Sure enough I got the flu and was too sick to get out of bed for almost a week, and felt like shit for another after that.

Get your flu shots !

[bocker3]

Got mine yesterday!!

[Jim Allen]

Delayed by a week, but sorted now, just walked back in from having it done.

[PozLawyer]

I am holding off till at least next week to see what my ID doctor says.  Also going to check to see what other immunizations I need.

I'm just nervous about putting anything into my body if he doesn't say it's OK.  Also want it documented in my medical file just so anyone that pulls my records know what happened. 

What did your ID doc say?  Mine gives me every vaccine he can think of.  Not just flu but PVC13, and a new meningitis strain, etc.  As long as your VL is suppressed and you have CD4 > 200, there should be no reason you cannot receive a flu shot as long as it is not live strain.  [It's usually not live strain unless it's a nasal spray].

[CaveyUK]

Had mine done last Thursday.

Swear by it now. Even if you don't get the 'flu' (as in proper flu, not just a bad cold), the jab is supposed to theoretically help reduce the effects of other flu-like events, and I've only had the odd day or two of sniffles in the last couple of years whilst everyone around me has been falling down with horrendous coughs, cold and aches.

[CaveyUK]

I'm not sure if il get mine this year, I didn't for the past two years and missed the flu.

Not sure I follow your logic. You 'missed the flu' by either not catching it, or by the vaccine doing it's job. I don't see how that would alter any decision to get it done this year - if anything, it should strengthen the case for doing it!

There is a particularly nasty strain (or strains) coming in this year apparently, which has been killing even healthy people in the Southern Hemisphere. For the sake of a 1second scratch in your arm I don't think I'd chance not getting it done.

[PozLawyer]

Had mine done last Thursday.

Swear by it now. Even if you don't get the 'flu' (as in proper flu, not just a bad cold), the jab is supposed to theoretically help reduce the effects of other flu-like events, and I've only had the odd day or two of sniffles in the last couple of years whilst everyone around me has been falling down with horrendous coughs, cold and aches.

I swear by it, too.  That and just about every other vaccine that can protect me from something.  I'm lucky to have a very pro-vaxxer doctor.  I don't even have to ask!  He just tells me "theres a vaccine I want you to get because [insert whatever reason here].

[CaveyUK]

Can't have mine yet. Here they wont administer it if you're below 300.

Yes, because people with very compromised immune systems handle flu SO much better.....[rolls eyes]

I could see why if it were a live virus vaccine but it's inactivated

[PozLawyer]

Not sure I follow your logic. You 'missed the flu' by either not catching it, or by the vaccine doing it's job. I don't see how that would alter any decision to get it done this year - if anything, it should strengthen the case for doing it!

There is a particularly nasty strain (or strains) coming in this year apparently, which has been killing even healthy people in the Southern Hemisphere. For the sake of a 1second scratch in your arm I don't think I'd chance not getting it done.

100% agree.  Also, if you're seeing your ID doc 2x/year, how does he/she let you walk out of the office without getting the shot?  Might just be my doc, but I swear he'd strap me down to a gurney if declined the vaccine.

[PozLawyer]

Yes, because people with very compromised immune systems handle flu SO much better.....[rolls eyes]

I could see why if it were a live virus vaccine but it's inactivated

If I remember Dr. Joel Gallant's comments on his tumblr correctly, if CD4 is above 200 then the standard vaccine should be fine (and damn near required), just don't use live virus nasal spray vaccine.

I suppose there could be other reasons too.  If the immune system is under strain from post-ART immune system activation after recently beginning therapy, if CD4 was low to start with, might be a little like torture to give it yet another thing to develop antibodies for.

[kentfrat1783]

Hi

My ID doctor said I can get my flu shot whenever I want too. I’m going to setup an appointment with my Primary doctor to get it done. I know I could go to the Healy department but want it documented in my medical file.

He won’t let me get any other vaccinations until my CD4 is over 100 (currently 43). He started to tell me all the vaccinations he wants me to get once my numbers are better so I’m sure I’ll feel like I a pin cushion by the time he is done with me.

Didn't help he used the same phrase on all of my visits.

Kenneth

[PozLawyer]

Hi

My ID doctor said I can get my flu shot whenever I want too. I’m going to setup an appointment with my Primary doctor to get it done. I know I could go to the Healy department but want it documented in my medical file.

He won’t let me get any other vaccinations until my CD4 is over 100 (currently 43). He started to tell me all the vaccinations he wants me to get once my numbers are better so I’m sure I’ll feel like I a pin cushion by the time he is done with me.

Didn't help he used the same phrase on all of my visits.

Kenneth

Sorry to see that the CD4 was so low when you received your Dx.  It will bounce back up again.  VL of 54 from over 100k means treatment's working as long as it continues to trend down.

Don't be surprised if you start to feel sick as your CD4 continues to climb.  It's called something like (perhaps paraphrasing) immune reconstitution syndrome.  Your immune system will finally be healthy enough to take care of any critters it was letting slide by, which can make you feel ill.  [But do tell your doctor if it happens!]  It will pass but your doc might be able to make you more comfortable and make sure that everything is still normal.

[Jim Allen]

IRIS can happen but in a minority of cases. It should not be something anyone is anticipating.
If you do get sick like any other time, just see your doctor.

http://www.aidsmap.com/Immune-reconstitution-inflammatory-syndrome/page/1729559/

Noticed this news topic last week, other papers are running similar stories.
Seems the flu this year has hit Australia pretty badly and a repeat is expected when it heads our ways.
 
http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/857930/flu-symptoms-jab-vaccine-uk-epidemic-worst-for-50-years

Aussie flu is en route to Britain, a professor has warned. It comes as Australia is in the grip of its worst season on record with more than 70,000 cases of flu and standing room only in some Accident and Emergency departments.

Specialists say this strain is likely to hit our shores this winter as global travel means the virus will “almost inevitably” be carried across.

[Bowie-esq]

Thanks for the reminder - will be planning to get my jab in the next two weeks

[Lightfighter]

Got mine today

[tedd]

I have to get a bunch of them. Flu, pneumonia, HPV, hepatitis, tetanus... I'm avoiding them because I hate needles! Ugh 

[Jim Allen]

You will get used to needles, also dealing with the needles is far better than the flu

Speaking of needles that reminds me I have to see the vampires tomorrow.

Jim

[PozLawyer]

I have to get a bunch of them. Flu, pneumonia, HPV, hepatitis, tetanus... I'm avoiding them because I hate needles! Ugh 

Take comfort in the fact that you will have stronger immunity to a ton of bugs than most of the HIV- population!  A lot of people never get the pneumonia, HPV, or hepatitis vaccines.  If you want to add another to the list, there is a new meningitis vaccine as well.

I've always found it a little amusing that my HIV diagnosis has resulted in my being overall healthier than I was before I became positive.

[Newdaytomorrow]

I've resisted taking the flu shot after having an adverse reaction to it years ago. Basically I fell really sick after taking the shot.

This year, after being pestered by my Med team to take it, I finally gave in and took it. The most amusing thing happened. After taking the shot, the nurse casually told me that 40% of the people who took the shot last year still end up getting the flu. I'm like wtf! Now you tell me ? 40%?  I mean I don't know what percentage  of population gets the flu but dont think o can be worse than 40%. For a second I thought I could beat those odds, but then again, I'm posting on this forum so..

[Jim Allen]

Nothing in life is a guaranteed 100% not sure why you even be expecting that or surprised, i mean 60% would be pretty damn good.  How do you mean causally told you? You are told beforehand what you are getting and how it works and in this day and age who does not know this already.

Each year only after the season will they know how effective it was as they have to guess what flu strains will be most impacting so they vaccine against them and as the season progresses the flu will slightly mutate reducing effectiveness if at the end of season its 60% effective that its really good. 

So flu Illnesses range from mild to severe and even death. Hospitalization and death occur mainly among high-risk groups. Worldwide, these annual epidemics are estimated to result in about 3 to 5 million cases of severe illness, and about 250 000 to 500 000 deaths.

Take 60%-80% of that illness and death can be prevented with vaccines, pretty fucking amazing and not to be sniffed at, also even for those that get the flu later on in the season despite having a flu shot the Illness and symptoms are reduced

Such huge numbers I would be pleased with even 30-40% and the fact that they get up to 80% effectiveness some years is outright brilliant.   

Jim

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs211/en/

[Newdaytomorrow]

Is this your way of welcoming me to the forum?  Your first paragraph i presume is designed to bait me  into pointless back and forth commentary. I'm not gonna bite.

Anyways, I've  been lurking the forum for about two years and greatly benefited from your wisdom.

Remember, tomorrow is a new day!

[Jim Allen]

Its simply and factual answer to your otherwise pointless, red herring and trolling post in the flu thread. If you don't like it, don't post.

Your reply is simply to piss me off, congrats you succeeded so welcome to the forum, 30 day ban for trolling and your last post was removed. No need to worry about what you would call "

pointless back and forth commentary

"

Jim