Anyone had the flu with liver disease? - British Liver Trust

British Liver Trust

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Anyone had the flu with liver disease?

Misg profile image
Misg
16 Replies

Hello I have posted on here a couple of times before and always get great advice.

I have not had a diagonisis for my liver yet but I am being investigated, however I feel as though I might be coming down with either the flu or cold. I have done my research and I have seeen those with chronic conditions may be at risk from complication of flu. They also suggest that you see your doctor once flu symptoms come on to get tamiflu to help the virus be attacked my your immune system but thry did not specify whether it was for all people including those with chronic conditions.

I just wanted to know if anyone has taken this and whether or not it damages the liver. Plus if anyone here has had the flu with liver condition and how it went. I'm a bit worried thank you!

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Misg profile image
Misg
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16 Replies
LAJ123 profile image
LAJ123

Good morning,

The flu is definitely to be avoided in liver disease or post transplant.

For that reason these people are in the high risk group.

You should attend your GP surgery and request the vaccination. Before they give it to you, they will review your medical history and any risks. So you will be safe.

Take care.

Jim

Misg profile image
Misg in reply to LAJ123

Thank you for this. The thing is I think there is a high chance i have it now as I have been feeling unwell this morning! So I'll definitely go to my doctor to have this checked out!

LAJ123 profile image
LAJ123 in reply to Misg

That's certainly a good idea.

Normally they expect people to remain at home and just wait for it to take its normal course. For most that's fine but if there is a also an underlying health problem they will understand why you are worried.

I was contacted by my surgery both before and after my transplant to attend for the flu jab.

Jim

Misg profile image
Misg in reply to LAJ123

Thank you but I'm still waiting for a diagnoisis since August sadly!

I have only had one ultrasound scan and that is it. They reffered me to a gastro which I had to wait for two months to finally see and still haven't had any further scans, images or biopsies just another LFT test so no one has pushed me to get a jab unfortunately. I had research.

Again thanks for your message.

monicalynn profile image
monicalynn in reply to Misg

I had 4 ultrasounds that only showed a stone in a pancreatic duct the liver looked normal. then I had a ct and then mri again liver looked normal range with tiny bit fatty but according to radiologist what she saw was normal. heatalogist knows it has to be liver though so next step biopsy by ultrasound endoscope.my dads liver stopped functioning and he lost 28lbs in 3 days almost died and at that time the ultrasound showed nothing lol they got his liver going again did the biopsy and found the liver issue. so in short just don't trust the images 100 percent.

Misg profile image
Misg in reply to monicalynn

Thank you. I'm just worried as this has been going on since August. I'm going to head to A&E as I have tried to ask for further scans and I do not know if it is just a stone or something else but they have taken so much time I have just gotten used to being ill and having pains. I'm sorry that happened to your dad at least he is ok now. How long did you have to wait to get all of these scans done?

Katiesgran profile image
Katiesgran in reply to Misg

Well going to A&E is going to help nothing, more likely to catch flu there and you'll be clogging up the system yet more. Go through the proper channels and get treatment you need.

monicalynn profile image
monicalynn in reply to Misg

I got the flu and have been diagnosed with liver disease although they are doing the liver biopsy and eui in feb to confirm which one. I got the flu and almost died I lost so much fluid from throwing up and diarehea and all the bile coming up from my liver. I finally after 2 weeks of putting myself on extra doses of vitamins and metroclopramide and buscopan I got over that flu. a week later I got h1n1 and my lungs filled with fluid and again the hospital did nothing and I took my vitamins and fluids till it cleared which took almost 2 months. the flu hits us a lot with weakened immuned systems and when it hits us it hits very hard. please be careful people

Misg profile image
Misg in reply to monicalynn

Thank you for this!

Sorry that this happened to you. I am definitely quite worried about this as a family member has got the flu at the moment.

Is it possible to know which vitamins you took just in case i get a horrible infection. I have had a dry cough for two days now but no high temp. no headache or anything so i am a bit confused as to what I have but would like to know what kind of vitamins helped you. Thank you!

monicalynn profile image
monicalynn in reply to Misg

hi I take 500 mg of vit c every morning I also take a 2000 vit d and 1000 mg of b12 as well as an immune booster. I cant take antibiotics to well as my liver doesn't process it right and it makes me get gastritis so the Tamiflu doesn't work for me. along with that I drink lots of pure filtered water and other fluids such as chamomile tea and pedialite to stay as hydrated as I can. anyway good luck greatly hope you stay away from it

Misg profile image
Misg in reply to monicalynn

Thank you so much. These are very helpful ideas. I'll be making sure to try these. Again thank you.

monicalynn profile image
monicalynn in reply to Misg

also use a vaporizer in your bedroom at night when you sleep it helped me with the dry cough and again the second time with all the phglem.

Kristian profile image
Kristian

Once your diagnosis is confirmed it'll probably say on the bottom of every letter to your GP that you should receive the annual flu vaccine. You may still have to remind them come vaccination time in the autumn though. Just keep your eye on when they do it at your GP's surgery in case they forget to invite you. (Which they can do, and seem to keep doing for me!)

In the mean time, i'm sure your doctor will be happy to arrange a jab just in case. If not you can always get one this time round at a number of high street pharmacists. You may have to pay for it, but that'll just be a one off as in future, assuming your diagnosis is confirmed, you should be entitled to one anyway.

I've not had any issues with any flu jabs i've had so i can't see there being too many issues for you. Its certainly worth having though. I've found even colds are less severe having had it.

Misg profile image
Misg in reply to Kristian

Thank you for that. It's better to be safe. I will go to my GP with this.

Nuttie50 profile image
Nuttie50

Hi i have flu and liver chirossis nash. And waz put on antibiotics which is a blessing. Helped with coughing and with varices dont want them yo bleed. So apart from that get treated brilliantly.

Take care anitA xxxxxoì

Misg profile image
Misg in reply to Nuttie50

Thank you, take care.

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