Having CF means you should take special care to avoid contracting influenza, more commonly known as the flu, is a viral disease.
It is a viral disease that is spread
from infected persons through direct contact, or airborne particles. It can
cause fever, sore throat, coughing, headaches, chills and muscle aches.
Influenza is a virus that affects the respiratory system. It is not the same
virus as the one causing stomach flu. Symptoms of stomach flu include stomach
upset, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
People of any age can get influenza. It
usually affects healthy people for only a few days, while older people and
people with chronic diseases may suffer more. The flu season in Canada is from
November through April.
Influenza Vaccine
Should I get the flu shot?
Since influenza can dramatically worsen
CF symptoms, vaccinations are recommended. However, you may not be a candidate
for the vaccine if you have experienced:
a serious allergic reaction to eggs or an influenza vaccine
have a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome or paralysis
In addition, if you are ill when your
shot is scheduled, wait until you are better. Talk with your CF doctor should
this occur. If the vaccination is postponed, be sure to reschedule an
appointment to get the shot before it is too late.
When should I get the flu shot?
The best time to get vaccinated is between
September and December. The viruses that cause influenza continually change, so
the vaccine is updated every year to provide you with the greatest protection.
Because of this, you should get the vaccine every year. To lessen your chances
of being exposed to influenza, you might also talk to the other members of your
household about getting the flu shot.
Can I get the flu even if I have been vaccinated?
Unfortunately, yes. Influenza viruses
change often, and the vaccine may not always cover these changes. However,
people who get the flu (despite being vaccinated) usually have milder cases of
influenza.
Many people think the flu is any
illness with fever and cold symptoms, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. However,
influenza does not cause nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, so don't expect the
vaccine to prevent these symptoms. Remember-- the influenza vaccine is effective
only against illness caused by influenza viruses and not against other causes of
fever, colds and gastrointestinal symptoms.
What are the risks associated with the influenza vaccine?
The viruses in the vaccine have been
killed so you cannot get influenza from the vaccine. However, possible side
effects include:
soreness, redness or swelling at the injection site
sometimes, (but rarely) serious allergic reactions which usually occur a few minutes after the vaccination
possible increase in your cough, shortness of breath and cold-like symptoms for a few days after the vaccine
Pneumovax® Vaccine
Should I get the Pneumovax vaccine?
The Pneumovax is a vaccine that is given
to protect against infection with the bacteria Streptococcus Pneumoniae.
It is recommended for adults and children 2 to 64 years of age who are at
increased risk for pneumococcal disease because of other illness (i.e., heart
disease, lung disease, diabetes, alcoholism, and liver disease).
Despite the fact that pneumonia with this organism is quite rare in adults with CF, it provides additional protection with few side effects.
When should I get the Pneumovax?
Unlike the influenza vaccination, there
is no specific time of the year that's right to get the Pneumovax. It is usually
given every ten years, so make sure you keep track of when you receive it. A
good way to do this is by keeping the information in your vaccination
notebook.
The vaccine is given by intramuscular
injection, usually in the deltoid (upper arm muscle). It is generally well
tolerated and most people experience only minor side effects.
What are the risks with Pneumovax?
While most people tolerate the vaccine
well, you may experience some of the following side effects:
soreness and/or hardness, redness and swelling at the injection site (this usually lasts less than 48 hours)
It is also possible, but uncommon, that
you develop a low-grade fever (between 37.3° and 37.7° Celsius). Rare side
effects may also include rash, muscles and/or joint pain, high fever (over 39°
Celsius), nausea and/or vomiting or severe allergic reaction. Because of this
slight risk, you will be asked to stay at the clinic for 15 minutes after
receiving the vaccine.
Can I get pneumonia even if I have been vaccinated?
Yes. Many organisms such as bacteria,
viruses or fungi can cause pneumonia. The Pneumovax protects only against
pneumonia caused by the family of pneumococci bacteria. You can develop
pneumonia from another organism such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
The information about the influenza
vaccine was adapted from an article by Stanley B. Fiel, MD, Professor of
Medicine, MCP Hahnemann University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (in Genentech's
CF Toolbox).
