Flu jab

[gussy3]

Has anyone else been told that a flu jab

could provoke a flare up of scleroderma?

[cowhide]

No. A flu jab is normally recommended - I never used to need one before I was diagnosed. If you are on immunosuppressants then you are more likely to pick up any viruses circulating. And with scleroderma patients there are often complications such as lung fibrosis or acid reflux causing lung problems so protecting them from other sources of possible infection is important.

[MEW53]

Gussy3

Important to have a flu jab cos we are more likely to pick up infection with our compromised immune systems. There are so many viruses that go round in the winter time it is best to be prepared.

[LucyJean]

The issue of whether to have immunisations is always a difficult one. It is definitely not as straight forward as 'we should all have one'. What happens when you have a 'flu jab' or any other vaccine? Well what we are doing is introducing a foreign virus into the body in a small amount to teach our immune system to recognise it and build antibodies against it, so that if it encounters it again then it will be able to fight it off.

So what are the issues if you have a condition like scleroderma? Well, if you are not on any medications that are immunosuppressants, then when the virus is introduced then it is going to demand that your immune system becomes active. Now in a normal person then this is fine...perhaps some people will feel a bit fluey, or coldy or just a bit under the weather because the immune system is doing its job and reacting. Hopefully it will then calm down and should have build a resilience against the flu in the future. But, if you have scleroderma and your immune system becomes more active, then there is a chance, especially if you were not that well and your immune system was already active, that not only would it be stimulated and caused to produce antibodies against the flu, but that it might produce more against you too. So, it is perfectly possible that you could experience a flare up. hopefully this would settle in time, but still this is a genuine risk. If your condition was very stable then it is likely it would not have too much of an impact, and it would be better to be protected in the long run. So, get a jab if you are well. If you are already experiencing the effects of active scleroderma with a pretty active immune system then I would get myself well first, and not be introducing more work for the immune system to do.

Now, if you are on immunosuppressants there is going to be a slightly different issue, and one that is definitely discussed and debated...and that is, if you are on immunosuppressants that are dampening your immune response, will you actually be able to respond appropriately to that flu vaccine anyway?? The role of these drugs is to reduce the reactivity and response of the immune system which is why you are already so much more susceptible to viruses and infections than normal. So, there is a chance that you could become unwell because your system is not able to fight off even a tiny bit of virus, or that it can't respond anyway, so will be unable to build antibodies against the virus...so even if you had it then you might get the flu, and you should still go nowhere near anyone with it.

How effective are these vaccines? Some years they are very effective...some years they are pretty ineffective. The scientists make a best guess as to what strain of flu will be about...but some years they get it spectacularly wrong. The year before last is a case in fact. I believe it was only about 3% effective....some years it is up to 70% effective. It is not an exact science.

So, in summary, it is not simple. If you are well then it might be as well to get one, but be aware that you can experience a flare. Talk to your Consultant if you are concerned, and make sure you rest up when you have the jab to give yourself chance to deal with it.

[Ozchick]

I had the quadrivalent strain early in the flu season but other than a bit of sore arm for a day I've never had even a mild case of flu or cold. My Rheumy recommends it and I have been getting it for at least the last 15 years. (I used to work in a NICU and jabs were compulsory, no-jab-no job!)

[rosella24]

Scleroderma is an auto immune disease, so you will I think find a flu jab is highly recommended.