Sign in

or Register now

MyRACentral.com

See all of our health sites at www.HealthCentral.com
Thursday, October, 29, 2009

Enbrel And H1n1 Flu Vaccine

53_4156

Swine Flu and Immune-Suppressing Drugs

By Mark Borigini, M.D. Health Expert

Many medications prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis can weaken the immune system, including prednisone, methotrexate, and, of course, the biologic agents such as Humira, Enbrel and Remicade, to name but a few.  The use of these medications can make a patient more susceptible to the H1N1 virus (the so-called swine flu) and the regular seasonal influenza.  And if a patient on an immunosuppressive drug does contract such a viral illness, there is a much higher risk of developing more severe-and ...

Read more »

Expert & Community Posts

962_5731
Influenza Q&A - Interview with CDC Expert, Dr. Carolyn Bridges
By Kathi MacNaughton , Health Expert

...there things you want to know about the flu and the flu vaccine? If so, you're going to love... Read more »

651280
Diabetes and H1N1
By Dr. Fran Cogen , Health Expert

...immunized with the H1N1 vaccine, as well as the seasonal flu vaccine (shot or "flu mist"... Read more »

17
Should You Get a Shot for H1N1 (Swine Flu)?
By David Mendosa , Health Expert

...worried about having their children get the H1N1 flu vaccine. A new poll by the Associated... Read more »

19065
MS and the Flu Vaccine
By Lisa Emrich , Health Expert

...complications from the flu, SHOULD get an annual flu vaccine.   Living with an autoimmune... Read more »

266176
Don't Forget About Your Seasonal Flu Vaccine
By Beth McNamara , Health Expert

...astounded by people who refuse to get the seasonal flu vaccine, yet want to be first in line for... Read more »

Health Guide

Immunizations: Viral Influenza
...children -- may have fewer antibodies to it and so may be at higher risk for severe infection. (See Flu Vaccines in this report.)Complications of the Flu. In general, the flu is usually... Read more »
Ear Infections: Prevention
...vaccine called FluMist is approved for children ages 5 and older.In general, experts recommend that the flu vaccine be given to all children over6 months with a condition that requires regular... Read more »
Colds and the Flu: Medications
...healthy adults, immunization typically reduces the chance of illness by about 70 - 90%. The current flu vaccines may be slightly less effective in certain patients, such as the elderly and those... Read more »
Pneumonia: Prevention
...add-on therapy for people in certain high-risk groups. They may also be used:In combination with the flu vaccine during seasons where there is a poor match between the virus and vaccine.In... Read more »
Multiple Sclerosis: Lifestyle Changes
...shot in the fall. However, experts warn that patients should not take the nasal spray version of the flu vaccine (FluMist Intranasal). Unlike the flu injection vaccine, which uses an inactivated... Read more »

Related News

Half-Dose Flu Shot
December 11, 2008

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A half-dose flu shot may be just as effective in healthy, young people as a full dose, which could be useful during vaccine... Read summary »

Protecting Newborns from the Flu
October 31, 2008

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- The most effective way to protect newborn babies from the flu virus may be to vaccinate new mothers and other family members... Read summary »

Flu Shot Reduces Blood Clots
November 11, 2008

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- It's the time of the year get your annual flu shot, and now it could protect you against another danger. In a new study,... Read summary »

Diabetics Short Changed in Nursing Homes
May 29, 2007

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Nursing home residents who have diabetes may not be getting the kind of care they need to prevent deadly complications of the... Read summary »

H1N1 swine flu vaccine appears safe in early trials
August 27, 2009

U.S. health officials say an effective H1N1 swine flu vaccine will be available by fall, with the shot appearing to be safe in early clinical trials. Read summary »