Thursday, September 24, 2009
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.... I have heard that our immune systems are weakened. Does anyone know if this is true? I guess im concerned b/c it seems like those who have died from swine flu seemed to have done so b/c of existing illness that has weakened there immune systems. Just being more newly dx'd I stilll have to many ??'s.
Thanks
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.
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