Flu Jab?

So just been to my GP who has put me on a course of steroids after that nasty cough/cold bug doing the rounds has hit and I haven’t been able to shake off for the last two weeks and as a consequence has set my so called seasonal asthma off! So been back on my Clenil Modulite as it hit my breathing straight away, and salbutamol when needed, which has settled everything down quite well and quite quickly too, but had a rough night last night coughing and wheezing, and my peak flow is down from about 520 to 400 (even lower than when I was first DXd over the summer!)

He offered me the flu jab, said he would do it then and there if I’d like him to or I could book in to have it done in their flu clinic, however I decided to book an appointment later as I want to get over this flare up and this cold before I deal with anything else! I also have a hospital appointment Sunday morning so don’t want to bring in the flu bug!! My question is, obviously I understand it’s important to get it done, but has anyone else had it done, and do you get side effects from it? I work in a nursery, so would I need time off? Or would it not be contagious? Loads of questions that I wish I had in my head at the time, rather than after I’d left!!

Thanks!! X

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador]

Hi

Sorry to hear you’re having issues atm 😔

You’re best bet to get through the flu jab without issue is to be steroid and symptom free when getting it so good shout for the delay!

You won’t be contagious afterwards however you may get aches etc from it. Personally I ended up in hospital a few days after mine however I had mine when symptomatic and on 20mg pred so 🤷‍♀️. As I said you shouldn’t need time off unless you have a reaction to it.

Good luck and I hope you feel better soon x

[Hidden in reply to EmmaF91]

Thank you for your advice! Yep, that’s what I thought when he offered it to me, best bet to wait! Seeing the nurse for a review in 2 weeks so I think I will wait and discuss with her then about it and be sure I’m as safe as I can be! Thank you for replying x

[Hidden]

Sorry to hear you’re having a rough time of it at the moment. Sounds as though you’ve got the bug (or something very similar) that I went down with about a month ago.

As Emma has said you certainly won’t be contagious from the flu jab as it’s not a live vaccine. Some people say they’ve had colds or flu resulting from it but the most likely explanation for that is that they were already infected by a virus but were symptomless at the time of the jab. Very easy then to blame the vaccine when the symptoms become more obvious within 48 hours of the vaccine occurring.

In my experience they don’t like giving you the vaccine if you’re unwell enough to have a temperature, but my asthma is not as severe as Emma’s so I’m unsure of what the policy is if you’re on oral steroids. But I’ve had to cancel mine before now because I’ve gone down with something nasty at the crucial time.

The only problem I’ve ever had from it is a mildly sore arm, but plenty of people don’t even get that.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reply and advice, feeling more and more reassured! Will wait for this flare up to settle, I have an appointment anyway with the asthma nurse in 2 weeks so will discuss again with her then I think and see what she suggests! X

[DeanSamson]

I had it done the other day with no side effect what so ever. Good luck

[Hidden in reply to DeanSamson]

That’s great! Thank you for replying

[Spikedog66]

Leave your vaccine until you are well. You seem to sound quite poorly. My mum had it whist unwell at Drs advice to do so and me insisting no but he won and she was never well. Desperately poorly within 3 days followed by a heart attack and became housebound within a year she had otherwise been very fit apart from asthma. I have asthma and copd and refuse to have the flu vaccine but that is my personal choice so I hope others don't bombard me with comments. All I can say is be well to have the vaccine and stay well.😊

[Hidden in reply to Spikedog66]

Oh gosh sounds so so scary! Exactly, personal choice and circumstances My Mum and Grandad are both entitled to it but they’ve both always refused! Thank you for replying! X

[Yatzy]

I agree with the advice to wait till no temp or significant illness before flu jab, but try to get it when you’re well. I had mine at local chemist this year, with no after effects.

The pharmacist took the time to explain that the flu jab would take two weeks to establish itself in my immune system, so I could still be susceptible to flu in that time.

After that, I should be safe from the selected flu viruses in this year’s jab. Any other viruses might cause illness and any viruses within the initial two weeks would have no connection to the jab.

I thought that was a clear explanation and covers all the tales we hear about it causing flu/not working.

Have a good illness free Winter everyone 🤞🌲 Penny xx

[Hidden in reply to Yatzy]

Thank you very much for replying and advice! Yes I agree, hope everyone has a happy and healthy winter x

[Hidden]

So, I finished my steroids, and things do seem to have improved, although I am still incredibly congested! I was just wondering, does anyone have any tips on taking an inhaler when you have a blocked nose?! I’m not convinced I’m breathing in properly/deep enough when I use my spacer as I’m still unable to breathe through my nose!

Edited - I am steaming (although only with hot water as putting any product in it sets me coughing!) I am rising with sinus rinse 2x daily and I’m on Avamys 2 puffs meant to be 1x a day but I have increased to 2x a day as my sinuses got so inflamed and painful! As I’m on the Avamys both my GP and pharmacist said to only use the sinus rinse before the Avamys so can’t rinse any more than twice a day!