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If you’re like many people, your “to do” list is growing longer and longer now that the warm months are behind us. Maybe your list involves packing away the beach supplies, pulling out your warmer clothes, or doing yard work to prepare for that dreaded white stuff. Does your list of to dos also include getting a flu shot?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months of age or older be vaccinated annually against influenza. Mayo Clinic recommends annual influenza vaccination to all transplant candidates, transplant recipients, their caregivers and other close contacts. As a transplant patient, you should not receive the FluMist, nor should any of your caregivers or close contacts. The FluMist is a live virus vaccine and could cause you to become ill. The flu mist has also officially been determined to be less effective than the vaccine for the 2017-18 flu season. Although not 100% effective, getting a flu shot is worth the needle stick. Flu shots are the most effective way to prevent influenza and its complications.
If you are a transplant patient at another facility, contact your care team to ask about their recommendations for the flu season.
What you can do
In addition to getting your flu shot, remember to practice good hygiene as another safeguard against flu season.
- Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and water
- Use an alcohol-based sanitizer on your hands if soap and water aren't available
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth whenever possible
- Avoid crowds when the flu is most prevalent in your area
- Get plenty of sleep, exercise regularly, drink plenty of fluids, eat a nutritious diet, and manage your stress
Do you get your flu shot every year? Tell us about your experience.
HELPFUL LINKS
- Learn more about the flu vaccine and flu season
- Explore Mayo's Transplant Center
- Request an appointment
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I have not gotten the flu ever since I have received the flu shot. A recurring event in my calendar every September is to to have my whole family get the flu shot. My motto is the earlier I get it, the safer I am. The mild discomfort from the shot is much better than being sick with the flu and having it spread through the house for a month when everyone is stuck inside due to cold weather.
Lynn
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4 ReactionsBoth me and husband have had ours:-)
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2 Reactions@rosemarya I had mine in mid-September, I wanted it in advance of my long flights. My husband refuses to get lone, he thinks that when he does he always comes down with the flu! As I say to him, whatever! It’s hard to dispute his philosophy, he’s 82, is on no meds and rarely even takes an ibuprofen.
JK
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1 Reaction@contentandwell - I see his point but does he realize him getting the flu shot helps protect you? I suppose it has worked for you both this far...
Lynn
As part of our transplant preparation and discharge instructions, we were told that my husband would need to get a flu shot every year. When he told the transplant nurse, PA, doctor or whoever was meeting with us, that he never had received one in the past, and that he had never gotten the flu - they told him in no uncertain terms "you need to get one now." He does get one. I do not know what kind of a response he would have received if he had declined. I wonder of all transplant centers are as explicit
about this as Mayo?
I get real skittish this time of year when the flu season is ramping up. And, even with my flu shot, I begin to weigh the benefits vs risks of going places.
Rosemary
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3 Reactions@lcamino I don’t understand how it would help me. Having had the shot I presume if he got the flu that I would be resistant to catching it. Is that not correct? Right now he has a cold so he is sleeping in one of the other bedrooms.
JK
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2 Reactions@rosemarya I understand your reluctance in going places because of course there are strains that are not in the immunization, but I favor not going to high risk areas or events. I will continue to go to most places though. We each have to do what feels right for us though.
JK
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2 Reactions@contentandwell - I'm going by the requirement for our family with my daughter who is on immunosuppressive medications for her arthritis and I'm assuming her meds do not suppress the immune system as much as what a post-transplant patient takes. Of course, everyone needs to get immunizations that are not live (shot vs. mist). I suspect it is because the shot does not guarantee you won't get the flu and if you are living with someone who does get the flu you probably have a higher chance of contracting it (close quarters, airborne with windows shut etc. ) vs. being near someone briefly in a public place. Is it worth your husband feeling yucky for a few days to reduce your chances of getting the flu? To get an expert answer that is specific to you I'd ask your transplant team how important it is for him to get the flu shot. Good idea to banish him to another bedroom while he has a cold though ; - )
Lynn
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1 Reaction@contentandwell, @rosemarya - What are high risk areas or events? Places with large crowds? Just trying to learn what my new way of life will be like.
Lynn
@lcamino Lynn, I feel pretty sure that the information in the following will give you some ideas about some of the practices that recipients do to increase their ability t stay healthy.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/newsfeed-post/top-transplant-hacks-patients-share-their-best-tips-and-tricks/ and
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/changes-after-transplant/
In my opinion, any event becomes a higher risk during flu season because of the increase of individuals who have the flu - and who are out and about in any public area. We are already immunosuppressed and thus more vulnerable to the flu and complications. We can just do the best to make decisions that we feel are best for us. Also you can't live in isolation, it is all about choices. Especially hard with holidays approaching!
I think that you are going to be one of the best informed transplant patients ever! Thanks for your questions. I know that others are benefiting and learning with you.
Rosemary
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