Author Topic: Pneumonia and other Vaccinations (Read 8660 times)

wellington · « **on:** September 24, 2006, 02:07:43 pm »

When I was ill with PCP earlier this year, my doctor advised that there was a vaccine to stave off about 27 or so varieties of pneumonia. I was hoping to go for it this Tuesday when I meet with him for my routine labs, but now I've come down with a cold and a bit of a sore throat that's making the rounds. Have any of you been vaccinated against pneumonia? What was your CD4 count when you did? Do you feel it is, or if you didn't get vaccinated, feel it isn't something to do?

The cold aside, my CD4 is above 200 again and I think it's time to start thinking about such vaccines given that I can likely produce a few more antibodies in my present state.

(Topic updated to reflect course of the thread.)

bocker3 · « **Reply #1 on:** September 24, 2006, 02:17:14 pm »

HI Wellington,

I got mine last year -- my cd4 was 288 at the time. I'm told that I should do it every 5 yrs. I believe that you should probably wait until after your cold is gone -- but check with the doc. BTW -- I get the flu shot every year too -- did before I tested poz and intend to continue.

Mike

bear60 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 24, 2006, 02:27:35 pm »

Hi
My doctor recommends the pneumonia vaccination...... and the flu shot.

J.R.E. · « **Reply #3 on:** September 24, 2006, 02:32:25 pm »

Hello Wellington,

I have also had my Pneumonia shot. A booster is given 5 years after that. I can't tell you for sure, what my cd-4's were, when I had that shot. I have had all required shots and boosters. I alsio get the annual flu shot, when it becomes available. ( I can't remember the last time I had the flu ! ) A pneumomia shot will not protect against PCP !

I will give you 3 links though, all with simular information that you may find helpful. One is in PDf format :

http://www.thebody.com/hivatis/immunizations.html

http://aidsinfo.nih.gov/ContentFiles/Recommended_Immunizations_FS_en.pdf#search=%22Immunizations%20for%20HIV%20people%22

http://home.caregroup.org/clinical/guidelines/hiv/hivvaccine.htm#guide

I think you will find these sites helpful--------Ray

Life · « **Reply #4 on:** September 24, 2006, 02:35:08 pm »

Wellington, got mine on my second visit including flu shot... 280 or so.. He said it would sting like a fucker... It did..

IzPoz · « **Reply #5 on:** September 24, 2006, 02:35:39 pm »

I got the pneumo vac a couple months ago, and the doc tells me he's gonna give me the flu shot too. My cd4 is over 400... Never had the flu shot, nor pneumo vac... but ... *shrug* if it helps

allopathicholistic · « **Reply #6 on:** September 24, 2006, 02:40:16 pm »

I got the pneumovax . At the time my CD4 count was at an all-time low of 42

J.R.E. · « **Reply #7 on:** September 24, 2006, 02:49:25 pm »

And here is a little discussion from the old forums ;

http://www.aidsmeds.com/Fusetalk/messageview.cfm?catid=7&threadid=15850&FTVAR_MSGDBTABLE=

Ray

Alain · « **Reply #8 on:** September 24, 2006, 02:53:23 pm »

wellington · « **Reply #9 on:** September 24, 2006, 03:20:55 pm »

Thanks all. That's helpful to know. I do get the annual flu shot, too, as it seems to help. if I get flu at all it is very mild, compared to others. Let's hoping that trend continues now that I'm poz.

Life · « **Reply #10 on:** September 24, 2006, 03:28:28 pm »

Can I go with you and watch Mr. macho cry like a baby??

RapidRod · « **Reply #11 on:** September 24, 2006, 03:38:13 pm »

I'm like cowandalehouse, pneumonia vaccination shot every five years and flu shot every year at the end of October.

blondbeauty · « **Reply #12 on:** September 24, 2006, 09:28:17 pm »

After my first counts I had pneumonia shots + hep A and B. mY counts were: cd4 609/27.8% V.L.:15.232.

Eldon · « **Reply #13 on:** September 24, 2006, 09:55:33 pm »

Hey Wellington,

I get the flu shot every year.

Have the BEST Day!

alive2 · « **Reply #14 on:** September 25, 2006, 01:12:01 pm »

flu and pneumonia shots every fall,no matter what is how my doc wants me to get them.my cd4 is back up to 599,so i guess its good to have this option.it can only help stave off some unwanted illness,noone wants to have to begin with.take care

Teresa · « **Reply #15 on:** September 25, 2006, 01:18:52 pm »

My hubby had a fit when i mentioned that he needs to get a flu shot this year. I have gotten a flu shot for the last 10 yrs or so and have not had a bad case of the flu. He swears up and down that he got a flu shot years ago and it gave him the flu. He says if he gets a flu shot then he will get the flu.

He can be so stubborn!

Teresa

aztecan · « **Reply #16 on:** September 26, 2006, 10:12:46 am »

Hey Teresa,

I have a friend who tells me the same thing. He's wrong, of course. The flu vaccine is made up of dead flu viruses, so you can't get the flu from it. You may feel "icky" for a few days, because the body is busy making antibodies, but that's about it.

I get a flu shot every year and have had three pneumovax shots, the original and then two boosters.

As for my counts, they were between 900 and 1,300 at the time, depending on which time.

HUGS,

Mark

Iggy · « **Reply #17 on:** September 26, 2006, 10:18:13 am »

RapidRod · « **Reply #18 on:** September 26, 2006, 10:19:52 am »

Mark, there are two kinds of vaccine. One is live and the other one is dead. People with compromised immune systems like all of us, must not use the live. We all gotta use the dead stuff.

The new live virus vaccine (FLUMIST), which is squirted up the nose, was licensed by the FDA in June 2003 for use in healthy individuals between the ages of five and 50. It is not recommended for pregnant women or those with asthma, chronic lung or heart disease; chronic underlying medical conditions such as diabetes or kidney disorders; immune suppression or immune system problems; children or adolescents receiving aspirin therapy, anyone allergic to eggs; or those with a history of Guillain Barre syndrome. It should not be given simultaneously with other vaccines.

wellington · « **Reply #19 on:** September 27, 2006, 02:53:11 pm »

That's good info, Rod. Thanks.

I plan to get anothe rflu shot this year, and just awaiting most recent blood work (from yesterday) before I hop on the pneumovax needle.

Sorry to disappoint you Eric, but I won't need a shoulder to boo-hoo upon

Needles don't scare me - having put a pitchfork through my left foot and an ardox nail through my left thumb muscle as a kid. Still got some choice scars from each. Next stop, Fear Factor *smirk*

keyite · « **Reply #20 on:** September 27, 2006, 06:46:21 pm »

Does anyone know what the position is in the UK on these vaccinations? I have only met my HIV consultant once and she did not bring it up.

aztecan · « **Reply #21 on:** September 28, 2006, 08:01:26 am »

Hey Rod,

Thanks, I forgot about the mist. I've never known anyone who received it and it was filed in the messy basement of my mind.

You are quite correct it shouldn't be used by anyone with HIV, even those with robust health.

HUGS,

Mark

GSOgymrat · « **Reply #22 on:** September 28, 2006, 11:44:45 pm »

I went for a routine lab draw today and my PCP gave me a pneumonia vaccination and is testing for Hep B antibodies to see if I need a booster. The nurses were drawing blood out of my right arm and injecting my left at the same time.

wellington · « **Reply #23 on:** September 28, 2006, 11:51:06 pm »

Nothing like that good ole pin cushion feeling

There's seemingly no shortage ofshots to get when one's immune system needs a bit of support.

Sky · « **Reply #24 on:** September 28, 2006, 11:51:25 pm »

I had the hep series three years ago, however, recently when I went to get labs done for my job it showed me neg for hep antibodies...so I have to have the whole series over

stevevaboy · « **Reply #25 on:** September 29, 2006, 01:17:11 am »

I just got the Hep A, Hep B and Pneumonia vax all at once a couple of weeks ago and boyyyyy did my shoulders hurt!!!! I also felt flu-like and ran a fever that night, so it wasn't pleasant at all, but I just do what the doc advises. My CD-4 were about 500 and VL FINALLY undetectable.

So comforting to know others are going (or will be) through the same field of cow-pies!

Matty the Damned · « **Reply #26 on:** September 29, 2006, 02:21:53 am »

I had my Hep A and B vaccinations about 9 years ago, before I jointed the Elite Ranks of the Positive. I should probably get my Hep B GMT rechecked.

MtD

rocket · « **Reply #27 on:** September 29, 2006, 05:15:05 pm »

I thought once you had hep b antibodies they were for life.I got hep b thru sex and my doc said it cleared on its own.Two years ago i got the hep a vaccine and told them that I had hep b already so they didnt bother checking for antibodies for the hep b.Maybe I should get checked to see if I still have the antibodies? I guess with the hiv,they thought the hep b was the not that important.

Matty the Damned · « **Reply #28 on:** September 29, 2006, 05:24:20 pm »

I thought once you had hep b antibodies they were for life.I got hep b thru sex and my doc said it cleared on its own.Two years ago i got the hep a vaccine and told them that I had hep b already so they didnt bother checking for antibodies for the hep b.Maybe I should get checked to see if I still have the antibodies? I guess with the hiv,they thought the hep b was the not that important.

And generally people do, but one's GMT (general mean titre) or total amount of HBV surface antibody does decline over time. This generally isn't a problem because it reamains sufficient to protect against infection. People with compromised immune systems (such as us) can require boosters to maintain immunity.

MtD

rocket · « **Reply #29 on:** September 29, 2006, 06:59:33 pm »

thanks matty,you sure are a smart dude!Ive been reading up on viral hep and learned that hep d combines with hep b to cause problems.I never hear of docs mentioning hep d,maybe because it isnt common here in the U.S of A.Most of my sex was in southeast asia so maybe i have hep E which is common there.I dont think docs do anything unless your enzyme levels are higher than normal.Ill ask my doc when I see him more about the hep D(delta virus),hep E,and about the hep b booster.Thanx $:-\$

Matty the Damned · « **Reply #30 on:** September 29, 2006, 07:29:26 pm »

thanks matty,you sure are a smart dude!Ive been reading up on viral hep and learned that hep d combines with hep b to cause problems.I never hear of docs mentioning hep d,maybe because it isnt common here in the U.S of A.Most of my sex was in southeast asia so maybe i have hep E which is common there.I dont think docs do anything unless your enzyme levels are higher than normal.Ill ask my doc when I see him more about the hep D(delta virus),hep E,and about the hep b booster.Thanx

If you're immune (either by vaccination or prior exposure) to HBV then you'll be "immune" to HDV (delta hepatits). HDV requires that you have HBV infection for it to be a problem.

MtD

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Author Topic: Pneumonia and other Vaccinations (Read 8660 times)