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I was diagnosed very recently with MS.
I have two awesome kids and a great husband. I work as a dental...
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Thursday, September 24, 2009
View All of karen's Posts
Just wondered what your thoughts were on MS and the flu shot....Is it safe to get when you have MS. Is anyone planning to get the swine flu shot? Im debating, it but with all the unknowns about it im scared. Having MS and to think of other complications makes me nervous. Also a question about MS...
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Flu Shot
Lisa Emrich
Friday, September 25, 2009 at 10:57 AM
Hi Karen,
This is a very good question regarding the flu shot and immune system. I just posted the NMSS's recommendations on flu vaccines this year. I plan to get the seasonal flu shot, definitely. I have to get over this cold first.
It is not clear that those of us living with MS would qualify to be in the first group of people vaccinated with the H1N1 shot. Only those for whom catching that virus strain would be at higher risk for complications are able to get the shot right now (or will in October).
Now regarding your question about the immune system. Having MS does not cause a weakened immune system. A small part of our immune system gets confused and attacks the myelin as if it were a foreign invader. Some of the medications, however, can cause a weakened immune system. For example, I take methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis and that does lower my immune system so that I am careful to avoid sick people. However, I still managed to catch a nasty cold within the past week.
Please check out the recommendations on flu vaccines.
re: Flu Shot
karen
Friday, September 25, 2009 at 01:39 PM
Thankyou so much. Your reply was very helpful to me. I hadnt read that post about flu vaccines so I really appreciated reading it. It really answered my questions. Thanks for taking the time to reply
Hi Karen,
This is a very good question regarding the flu shot and immune system. I just posted the NMSS's recommendations on flu vaccines this year. I plan to get the seasonal flu shot, definitely. I have to get over this cold first.
It is not clear that those of us living with MS would qualify to be in the first group of people vaccinated with the H1N1 shot. Only those for whom catching that virus strain would be at higher risk for complications are able to get the shot right now (or will in October).
Now regarding your question about the immune system. Having MS does not cause a weakened immune system. A small part of our immune system gets confused and attacks the myelin as if it were a foreign invader. Some of the medications, however, can cause a weakened immune system. For example, I take methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis and that does lower my immune system so that I am careful to avoid sick people. However, I still managed to catch a nasty cold within the past week.
Please check out the recommendations on flu vaccines.