Flu jab

[Lyd12]

Have been reading a couple of posts about the difficulty of overcoming hib flu (not sure if thats right). I routinely have the flu jab, but wonder if we can be protected from this hib bug?

[Suke]

Hi Lyd12. I have had the Hib infection for a long time. The way I understand it, Hib is not actually influenza. It was a name given to it when it was discovered because that was what it was thought to be. I have been vaccinated against Hib and pneumococcal but unfortunately it hasn't worked so I am waiting to see an Immunologist now. I have recently been on Azithromycin 500mgs 3 times a week which seems to be keeping the infection down but it hasn't gone. Take care. X

[Lyd12 in reply to Suke]

thanks for your reply. I never look forward to the flu jab, last year my arthritis worsened just after it and has stayed much the same ever since. Never a simple answer is there, But I know my troubles are few compared to many others and do count my blessings. love Iris x

[cofdrop-UK]

Suke is quite right Haemophilus Influenzae is not a flu virus but is a bacterium. I have been colonised with it for some years now. Some immunologists still seem to give the HIB vac for it but the immunologist I saw explained that the HIB vac they give to youngsters is for HI which is type B. Apparently the HI we grow in our lungs is NON TYPE and for this reason he did not consider it appropriate.

Looks like it is down to treatment. Many folks have found prophylactic abs eg Azith is helpful (I did but can't take it as I am intolerant to it). Many of us who are colonised with HI and/or pseudo are on nebbed abs.

I think your question is a general enquiry and you do not have HI - long me that continue. Glad you asked - it may be something of concern to many.

Love cx

[Lyd12 in reply to cofdrop-UK]

Hi cx your reply was very helpful. sorry you have such a hard time of it. As far as I know I am reasonably ok at the moment, I have bronchiectasis, diagnosed about six years ago after a bleed. some abs have disagreed with me big time. Awaiting a sputum test result at the moment . Its not just the winter that brings problems is it. love Iris x

[freefaller in reply to Lyd12]

We can have problems at any time of year

[cofdrop-UK]

Agree it certainly isn't only the winter when the pests get us. I really empathise with the fact some of the abs you have had disagreed with you. I am intolerant to many abs and it does make it more difficult to treat infections.

When I start an infection I usually get a sample down straight away if pos but I then start on an antibiotic I have at home. Usually it is the correct one but if the pests turn out not to be sensitive when the results come back they just change it. It saves a lot of hospital stays and gets you back to functioning a lot quicker.

Hope your particular bug is easy to treat Iris.

love cx

[freefaller]

You need to see a Consultant immunologist about this. Thera re 6 in the whole country and only 1 of those is in Wales where I live. I was thinking of going to one privately but got my appointment at the National Aspergillosis Centre in Manchester in 11 days time so think they will sort something out for me - this is for Haemophilus Influenza bug which I have been incubating in my lungs since first blood test in March - so could have had it for ages. Apparently it can take ages to get rid of and someone on here posted to me last week that they had to go to an immunologist in the end.

[Lyd12]

Well I certainly hope I never get this bug, or any other or the nasty ones out there. doesn't sound like there is a vac for adults . thanks for all the info and good luck with getting rid of it. iris x