Flu shot?

brokencolonbeatingheart13
brokencolonbeatingheart13 Member Posts: 10
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Mom got the flu shot on wednesday. she got chemo yesterday. shes been sick as a pig since. anyone else get the flu shot?

Comments

  • coloCan
    coloCan Member Posts: 1,944 Member
    #2
    Been taking flu shots since Dxed with COPD and last year
    (my first with CRC)both lung doctor and oncologist suggested doing BOTH flu and swine flu shots. I only took flu shot. Only once did I get bad reaction, maybe 2003...I think this year they added swine flu to regular flu shot in which case I have much to think about before doing it. Make sure your mother's oncologist is aware of her bad reaction. I was surprised my doctors had recommended shots while I was still doing chemo last winter.Hope its nothing serious yet still worth informing doctor.Hope all is well.....steve
  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    #3
    No, I will check with my onc
    No, I will check with my onc to see if i should have it or not.
  • maglets
    maglets Member Posts: 2,576 Member
    #4
    AnneCan said:

    No, I will check with my onc
    No, I will check with my onc to see if i should have it or not.

    mine said
    my onc said yes....no reaction

    mags
  • Patteee
    Patteee Member Posts: 945
    #5
    I have always had yearly flu
    I have always had yearly flu shots- had both the flu and pneumonia shots when I was going through chemo. I have never had a reaction.
  • chicoturner
    chicoturner Member Posts: 282
    #6
    Last year I had both shots
    Last year I had both shots while on chemo with no reaction. I am currently on a 1 month break from treatment so this is probably a good time to get shot again. It is best to check with doc lst. My SF onc said do it! I work with children too, so it is always a risk. Jean
  • HollyID
    HollyID Member Posts: 946 Member
    #7
    Oh no! I hope she feels better.
    I'm sure our oncologists would encourage everyone to get a flu SHOT (not the nasal preparation). The flu shot in itself is a dead virus. It can't transmit nor cause disease, but can help your body build antibodies against influenza. The 2010-2011 vaccine provides protection against A/H1N1 (pandemic) influenza and two other influenza viruses – influenza A/H3N2 and influenza B. There is a separate flu vaccination for people over the age of 65. If your mom felt ill after the shot, it could be either coincidence or a fluke reaction to her chemo.

    The nasal preparation of the flu shot is intended for children and is a live (attenuated) which is a weakened preparation that is not intended for people with a weakened immune system.

    People with a severe egg allergy should not get influenza vaccine or if you've ever had Guillain-Barré Syndrome (a severe paralytic illness, also called GBS). Your provider will help you decide whether the vaccine is recommended for you. People who are moderately or severely ill should usually wait until they recover before getting flu vaccine. Febrile illnesses mostly. If you are ill, talk to your healthcare provider about whether to reschedule the vaccination. People with a mild illness can usually get the vaccine.

    My onc isn't recommending them until mid October or early November.

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