Flu jab: I As it is getting to 'that' time of... - PBC Foundation

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Flu jab

cazz22 profile image
23 Replies

I

As it is getting to 'that' time of year again I wonder if any of you have any pros or cons about having the flu jab.i work in a primary school and as yet haven't suffered any illnesses caught of the children.i guess we have a somewhat compromised immune system but also don't fancy putting my liver under anymore pressure from vaccine.any thoughts please.

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cazz22
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23 Replies
Oidra profile image
Oidra

I always have the flu jab since it has been available without any problem. I feel that having a bad dose of flu in the winter would have a worse effect than the jab.

This is only my choice, I`ve not read anything that would worry me and I did clear it with my consultant.

Poppygayle profile image
Poppygayle

I have the flu jab every year, like oidra says having the flu would be a lot worse than the injection ! X

I've had the flu jab the last 3 years. Not had any problems liver wise. So 1 yes here.....

susanburgess profile image
susanburgess

I have pbs had this for years, I have the flu jab every year also i take Echinacea as soon as i get any signs of a cold or sore throat. keep well.

spoul profile image
spoul

I worked in nhs and was offered it yearly. I never had it, can't really give you a good reason why but my thinking was that my immune system had enough to cope with.

Jtxx profile image
Jtxx

I have the flu jab every year but as far as I know it only vaccinates you against the particular strain the medical profession work out should be worse that year. I had a nasty influenza virus that went into my blood stream in June. (Had a party and didn't invite me. Lol.) I was off work for nearly 3 weeks as I also developed a lung infection, and it's not even the winter!! I was totally floored. It's a personal decision at the end of the day. I feel we need any help we can get re infections.

Val02 profile image
Val02

I used to have the flu jab but about four years ago started to adverse reactions to it, so don't any longer

Lucylongstockings profile image
Lucylongstockings

I work in the nhs and have not had it for years......personal choice. There are 2 arguments to this story. One you don't but your body under any more stress than needed so don't have the jab. Two if you get flu you could be really ill.

I've worked in v close contact with the general public ....who are in hospital because they are ill....and had flu twice in my life once when I was 11 so that doesn't count really. I could have been having flu jabs for the last 28 years of my working life and it would have stopped me getting flu once! I did have it the swine flu year, mainly because there was a risk of dying from it! The risk of my health bring permensntly affected from flu is minimal it's all risk against benefit. The other consideration is if you caught it, who would you pass it on to? I ve been made to feel guilty at work for not having it since if I was vaccinated against it it would stop the spread of flu ....but this is my body ...there was even talk of it bring compulsory !

raqs67 profile image
raqs67

I've had the flu jab for past 5-6 yrs without any problems, if you have any flu like symptoms/cold at time then you shouldn't have the injection as it will enhance symptoms you already have but otherwise it's just a sore arm for a few days. I've worked in nhs for well over 20yrs and now have it routinely along with most of my colleagues. Flu is frightening and I don't just mean a bad cold!

Hello cazz22.

Well prior to the itch in 2010 and PBC diagnose by the end of that year, I had never really suffered colds or can recall ever having the 'flu.

Since 2011 I have received letters from my GP surgery inviting me to have a 'flu jab but I've never had one. I did have my bloods later last year and the nurse who took said tome that I was also there for the 'flu jab to which I told her I'd not come for that and had no intentions of having one either.

For me I have always wondered if having the Hepatitis course of vaccines in a job several years prior to PBC diagnosis if that started the ball rolling but I don't think I'll ever know. My daughter had a bad reaction when the MMR first came out as she was given it as recommended as she'd only had the measles one prior.

Doctors will tell you we need to have one but it is down to yourself. I for one have no intentions of rocking the boat so-to-speak as if I've not been one prone to colds when family members always seem to have them (my brother and son) then I do not want to cause at present unnecessary strain nor stress to my body. Not sure but at one time there was mercury in certain hyperdermic vaccinations and there are other chemics within the vial. A definite no ta.

Jen11804 profile image
Jen11804

Hi cazz22

I work with the public every year have only had the flu jab once when the risk was greater of getting deathly ill. Personally I don't have it as I feel I don't want to rely on vaccination to cure me from the virus. The same as peridot when others seem to get sick with the flu I don't. I guess I feel my immune system is strong enough to handle the flu and if I don't have to put more stuff in my body than necessary I won't.

Again personal decision but if you have not had any issues with the flu why now change your mind in thinking you need it?

cazz22 profile image
cazz22

Thanks for your comments everyone.i don't really want it as I seem to have a strong immune system(prob too strong hence pbc

liver-bird profile image
liver-bird

I have it each year on the basis that the flu can do far more harm than the vaccine. I understand the flu virus mutates each year so it is not a completely different virus but a mutated one with aspects of the previous strain. The current vaccine will contain what the experts think is most likely to cause a problem that year but the more strains you are vaccinated against, the more protection you would have if there was an out break of something like avian flu as your body would have seen so many of the strains before and therefore be better able to fight them.

Unclear whether a pbcer has a compromised immune system or a strong, overactive one?

I also previously worked for the NHS and staff were strongly advised to take the jab to protect and keep them working in an epidemic

SimbaTutor profile image
SimbaTutor

Hi, cazz22! Working with students for more than 30+ years has helped me to build up some immunity to many of the infections the little rascals carry with them as they come to learn. I have chosen not to have a flu shot even though it has been recommended. For me, I work from home and the students come to me. I deal with 10-12 students each week and seldom leave my home since my husband takes care of the shopping, meals, etc. Therefore, my sphere of contact with others is much smaller than most individuals. I wash my hands frequently, definitely before any meals or snacks, to limit exposure to germs brought to me by my students. My body, my choice...

Junolee profile image
Junolee

Always get it and got the pneumonia vac 2 years ago too (does you for 5 years). Doc insists.

in reply to Junolee

Here in the UK I thought the pneumo jab was for life unless I read that wrong at some point. I have read the pneumonia vaccine was utter useless a few years ago and with everything forever changing it can also make it difficult for someone to decide whether it is of any use or not.

Deu to it being a different strain for the flu jab each year and apparently lat years being useless little wonder people get confused by it all.

I still think that the more vaccines we have the more our system has to deal with. Certain medications and vaccines that hit the bloodstream all have to be processed by the liver and all a doctor will say is a vaccine could cause this reaction but at the same time if you don't have it whatever you are being vaccinated against might be worse so all in all it is a gamble.

I know of several retired ladies who have listened to their doctors and had the flu jab and then all of a sudden had some reaction and decided against it again.

To me life is a gamble and I don't want to say if anyone should or shouldn't have the 'flu jab but going back in history the world has continued to turn even with certain epidemics and plagues out there. There will always be something around.

I have decided that in the event I do get this or that and it could have a knock-on effect if I was to develop the 'flu in future then I would more than likely reconsider.

rubberglove profile image
rubberglove

I have the flu jab every year now since I was diagnosed with having PBC after having a chest infection that is what they think has caused the pbc

rubberglove profile image
rubberglove

I have the flu jab every year now since I was diagnosed with having PBC after having a chest infection that is what they think has caused the pbc

bev5779 profile image
bev5779

The Flu jabs a dead virus so wouldnt upset the liver but Flu on the other hand could knock you off your feet for weeks.....

mumofthree profile image
mumofthree

I was advised by my GP to have the flu jab and have done so every year since. Was diagnosed with PBC in 2011.

nomorepies profile image
nomorepies

As Bev said, the flu jab is an inactive vaccine. I have mine every year, I was diagnosed with PBC in 2012. I had the flu virus in 1998 and was knocked off my feet for weeks, I also lost approx 1 stone in weight. I had my pneumo vaccine last year and my understanding is that it will last for life.

cee_cee profile image
cee_cee

I've been having the flu jab for years now. I had the flu about 15 years ago and really don't fancy getting that again. I haven't had any side effects and my GP has told me I fall into the category for a free flu jab because I have a chronic condition. However, I work for the NHS and get free jabs anyway.

2006 profile image
2006

My doctors give me shots for everything ! I get the Flu Shot, pneumonia shot, shingles shot, hepatitis shots (series of 4 ). I have never had so many shots since I got PBC.

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