Can Vaccines With Thimerosal Cause Mercury Poisoning
A: No. Thimerosal has a different form of mercury than the kind that causes mercury poisoning . Its safe to use ethylmercury in vaccines because its less likely to build up in the body and because its used in very, very small amounts. Even so, most vaccines do not have any thimerosal in them. If youre concerned about thimerosal or mercury in vaccines, talk with your doctor.
Will Antibiotics Help The Flu
Antibiotics have no effect on the flu. The drugs wont relieve your symptoms, reduce the length of your illness or boost your immunity to other germs. Sure, you may feel better after taking antibiotics, for a simple reason: You were already on the road to recovery. We all tend to seek treatment when our symptoms are at their peak. Over the next few days, as the virus runs its course, you start to feel better. But that would have happened even without medication.
Sometimes, antibiotics can actually make you feel worse. Antibiotics are generally quite safe, but they do carry some risk, says Daniel Knecht, MD, MBA, VP of clinical strategy and policy for Aetna. They may cause diarrhea, allergic reactions and various other side effects. Its something to keep in mind if youre tempted to take unnecessary antibiotics just in case.
Can I Get A Vaccine While Im On Antibiotics
Yes, although you might want to wait a few days.
If youre taking antibiotics for an illness and youre scheduled to get a vaccine, you can still get it. But, if youve got some flexibility in your schedule, it might make sense to delay the vaccine a little bit. Thats because vaccines can trigger a fever, body aches, or chills, and thats probably not what you need if youre already feeling lousy.
Plus, theres a chance those vaccine side effects could make things confusing. If you get a fever from the vaccine while youre taking antibiotics, you might wonder whether the antibiotics are working. It could be hard to tell whether youre recovering from your illness the way you should.
That said, getting a vaccine while youre on antibiotics isnt dangerous. The vaccine will still do its job, and so will the antibiotics.
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Can I Get A Vaccine With Humira
Except for live vaccines, you may receive vaccines if your doctor has prescribed Humira for you. Live vaccines contain a weakened live virus. Because Humira can suppress your immune system, it may increase your risk of infection with live vaccines or the live vaccine may not be as effective.
Tell your doctor if you have recently received or are scheduled to receive a vaccine. If you need a live vaccine, your doctor may decide to delay the vaccine, delay the initial start of Humira, or stop your immunosuppressant therapy for a period of time.
Some examples of live vaccines include:
- nasal flu vaccine
- measles, mumps and rubella
- chickenpox
- yellow fever
Children should be brought up to date with all vaccines in current immunization guidelines prior to starting Humira.
The flu-shot is not a live virus and you should consider having this vaccination yearly talk to your doctor about getting this vaccine each fall.
A Closer Look At How Antibiotics Influence Immune Response
This research shows that disrupting the microbiome in some individuals had a measurable effect on vaccine responses, Dr. Embry says, but much more work is needed to understand if and how the normal use of antibiotics will affect influenza vaccine response.
The research team, led by Bali Pulendran, PhD, a professor of pathology and of microbiology and immunology at the Stanford University School of Medicine, examined 22 volunteers during the 201415 flu season and 11 participants during the 201516 flu season. They ranged in age from 18 to 45.
Half the individuals in each group received a five-day broad-spectrum regimen of antibiotics before getting their flu shot. The antibiotic mix consisted of neomycin, vancomycin, and metronidazole.
Vancomycin and metronidazole are commonly prescribed for gastrointestinal infections such as Clostridium difficile . Neomycin is an antibiotic used not only to reduce the risk of infection during intestinal surgery but also to treat skin infections.
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When You Need Antibiotics And When To Avoid Them
Viruses and bacteria are two types of germs that can cause infection and disease. Antibiotics kill bacteria, but have no effect on viruses. Some illnesses always require antibiotic treatment: strep throat, staph-based skin infections and common sexually transmitted diseases like chlamydia.
Other conditions may be caused by either bacteria or viruses, and it can be hard to tell the difference. If you develop pneumonia, pink-eye or a urinary tract infection, for instance, your doctor may test for bacteria before recommending antibiotics.
Side Effect Doctors Don’t Want You To Fret Over If You’re Still Putting Off That Flu Shot
Despite the fact that it’s easier than ever to get your flu shot , there are lots of reasons you might be putting it off, from stressful holiday planning to vaccine-specific questions you simply haven’t had the time to ask. Here’s one you can check off your list: the flu shot is unlikely to interact with other injections or any of the prescription or over-the-counter medications you’re taking.
“Currently there are no confirmed medications that interact with the annual flu vaccine,” Carolyn Kaloostian, MD, MPH, a clinical assistant professor of family medicine at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, told POPSUGAR. “There were some case reports over the last 30 years of increased medication levels of some anti-seizure and blood thinning medications. However, follow-up studies have not confirmed a consistent relationship, and these are likely a result of other factors.”
Phil Johnson, MD, professor of general internal medicine at McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, added that immunosuppressant or steroid drugs and certain vaccines, such as the PCV13 vaccine for pneumonia prevention , could make the flu vaccine less effective and cause a mild reaction it.
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Dr Fauci Says Do Not Take A Drug That Supresses An Immunological Response
As for taking medicines after the vaccine, Fauci says “the mixed advice is based on the fact that there’s very little data on that. I mean, if you’re going to take something that suppresses an immunological response, then obviously you don’t want to take something like that, except if you’re taking it for an underlying disease.” Immunosuppressants are “medications that suppress the body’s immune system,” according to Johns Hopkins. “These are usually taken after an organ transplant to prevent the body from ‘rejecting’ the transplanted organ.” Keep reading to see what he thinks you can take.
You Had A Severe Reaction To The Shot Last Year
If you experienced a severe reaction to your flu shot last year, talk to your doctor first before heading in for this year’s vaccine. In most cases, the reaction you experienced wasn’t related to the flu shot at all. However, in some cases, it may be a sign that you’re allergic to a component used in the flu vaccine. According to the Mayo Clinic, “The flu vaccine isn’t recommended for anyone who had a severe reaction to a previous flu vaccine.”
According to Dr. May, you’ll know you’re having a severe allergic reaction if you experience “lip or tongue swelling, wheezing, hives, hoarseness, difficulty breathing, paleness or a fast heartbeat.”
Your doctor may still recommend that you get the flu vaccine since this illness can be dangerous and lead to serious complications. Your medical provider may want to monitor you or have another medical professional observe your reaction to the vaccine this year, just to be safe.
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Does Humira Increase My Risk Of Infection
Humira can lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections or make an infection worse. Humira can cause serious side effects, which may include infections, tuberculosis and infections caused by viruses, fungi, or other types of bacteria. Some infections have been deadly.
Tell your doctor if you think you have an infection before or after starting Humira. Symptoms of an infection may include:
- fever, sweats or chills
- warm, painful or red skin or sores on your body
- diarrhea
- urinating more often than normal
- feeling very tired
- weight loss
When Humira is used in combination with certain medications it can increase your risk of serious infections or the development of a rare type of cancer. Be sure to tell your doctor about all of the medication you use, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Your doctor or pharmacist will review for drug interactions while you are using Humira.
Humira is a medication injected under your skin to treat many different types of diseases where symptoms include pain and inflammation, such as: rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, plaque psoriasis, ulcerative colitis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, hidradenitis suppurativa and uveitis. Humira will not cure these diseases but can help to relieve your symptoms and control your disease worsening.
How Does Stelara Work
Stelara is a monoclonal antibody. Monoclonal antibodies are man-made proteins that act like human antibodies in the immune system. They are a type of targeted treatment. Targeted treatments attach only to specific proteins in the body.
Stelara binds to the p40 protein subunit that is used by two cytokines, IL-12 and IL-23. Cytokines are signaling substances that help control immunity, inflammation, and the manufacture of blood cells. By binding to this protein, Stelara disrupts the interaction of these two cytokines which have been identified as being important contributors to chronic inflammation that is a hallmark of Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis. These cytokines are also present in skin lesions associated with psoriasis and in the joints of people with psoriatic arthritis.
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Inflammation Rises As Gut Bacteria Go Down
The researchers measured immune response to the flu shot and diversity and abundance of gut microbes by analyzing stool and blood serum samples taken at various points during a one-year follow-up period.
They found that people taking the antibiotics experienced a 10,000-fold drop in their gut bacteria population a loss that lasted up to a year after they took the drugs. These participants also displayed signs of systemic inflammation that mirrored a pro-inflammatory state seen among people age 65 and older who have gotten the flu shot.
Scientists speculate that the inflammation may be connected to how the microbiome regulates bile acid.
Can I Catch The Flu From The Flu Vaccine
You probably know at least one person who claims they came down with the flu days after getting a flu vaccine. Though your friend might have felt sick, the vaccine wasn’t to blame for the ailment. “It’s a very commonly held myth, but it’s just that,” Weinberg says. “It’s absolutely impossible scientifically and medically to get the flu from the inactivated vaccine shot.”
You can’t catch the flu from the vaccine, because the version of the virus used in flu shots is dead. In the nasal spray vaccine the virus is severely weakened, so it’s not likely to cause more than a few sniffles or sneezes. Chances are, your friend either had a bad cold or another respiratory infection, not the flu.
Most side effects from the influenza vaccination are mild, like soreness at the site of the shot, a low-grade fever, or a little achiness. You’re actually far safer getting the vaccine then skipping it. “There’s a much higher rate of getting complications if you take your chances with the real disease than if you get immunized,” Weinberg says.
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Should I Get The Flu Shot Or The Flu Spray
The flu vaccine is available in two forms: the injected vaccine and the nasal spray. The shot is approved for everyone over 6 months.
It’s long been advised that people with allergies to eggs should not get the flu shot. However, the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology says the vaccine contains such a low amount of egg protein that it’s unlikely to cause an allergic reaction in those with an egg allergy. If you have a severe egg allergy , talk to your doctor before getting the flu vaccine. Also, flu vaccines not made with the use of eggs are available.
Talk to your doctor if you have a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome. People who are moderately or severely ill should wait until they recover to get the vaccine.
Intradermal flu vaccines go into the top layer of skin instead of the muscle, which means the needle can be 90% smaller than the kind used for a standard flu injection. Like the egg-free vaccines, this one seems like it would be ideal for babies and kids, but it’s approved only for adults 18 to 64.
Drug Interactions In Patients On Hiv Medications
Patients with HIV can be a challenge in the pretravel consultation . A study in Europe showed that as many as 29% of HIV-positive travelers do not disclose their disease and medication status when seeking pretravel advice. Antiretroviral medications have multiple drug interactions, especially through activation or inhibition of CYP3A4 and CYP2D6. There are several reports of antimalarial treatment failure and prophylaxis failure in patients on protease inhibitors and both nucleoside and nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, whereas entry and integrase inhibitors are not a common cause of drugdrug interactions with commonly administered travel-related medications. A number of the potential interactions are listed above, and 2 excellent resources for HIV medication interactions can be found at www.hiv-druginteractions.org and at www.aidsinfo.nih.gov. Preexposure prophylaxis with emtricitabine/tenofovir is not a contraindication for any of the commonly used travel-related medications.
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Differences Between Shot And Nasal Vaccine
People taking immunosuppressive drugs should get the flu shot, not the nasal-spray flu vaccine . LAIV, which contains live, weakened flu virus, is not recommended for anyone who has a chronic disease, including IBD. LAIV should also not be taken by anyone receiving medications that can weaken the immune system, such as the IBD drugs mentioned above.
The inactivated flu shot contains dead viruses and will not give the recipient the flu.
You Have Something Physical To Do Tomorrow
Have a marathon you’re running tomorrow morning? Scheduled to host a lengthy and involved presentation at work all day? You may want to wait to get your flu shot. While it’s been proven that the flu shot won’t give you the flu, according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, there are some side effects you may feel for a few days after getting the vaccine. These side effects may include:
- Redness, swelling, or pain at the flu shot injection site
- Upset stomach
- Muscle aches
- Headache
In some cases, you may not feel any negative side effects after getting your flu shot. However, if you can plan your shot around a slow week, it may be best, just in case you feel a little under the weather after getting your vaccine.
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When Do I Need To Get The Vaccine
Get vaccinated as soon as the vaccine is available at your doctor’s office, public health clinic, supermarket, or wherever else it’s offered in your area. “Many people unfortunately wait until cases of influenza are already in their community. That’s not a particularly good idea because influenza is very contagious and it travels very quickly,” Duchin says. The vaccine takes about two weeks to take full effect, so if your neighbor comes over coughing and sneezing and your immune system isn’t yet fully primed against the flu, watch out.
Because experts are never sure exactly when in the flu season the first viruses will hit, earlier is better. Get the vaccine in August or September, and it should protect you through the whole flu season, even if it lingers until March.
I Have An Egg Allergy
Some flu vaccinations are made using eggs which can be dangerous to people who have an egg allergy as the vaccine may contain egg proteins, says Macnair.
This doesnt always mean that people who have an allergy to eggs cant have the vaccine.
“Some newer vaccines are not made with eggs and can be given to people with egg allergies. Make sure you tell the doctor or nurse giving you the flu vaccine that you are allergic to eggs. They can then give you a vaccine which does not contain egg proteins,” she explains.
“If you have a severe egg allergy you may need to have the flu vaccine in hospital where any reaction can be quickly managed.”
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How To Stay Safe Before And After Vaccination
Follow Fauci’s fundamentals and help end this pandemic, no matter where you livewear a face mask that fits snugly and is double layered, don’t travel, social distance, avoid large crowds, don’t go indoors with people you’re not sheltering with , practice good hand hygiene, get vaccinated when it becomes available to you, and to protect your life and the lives of others, don’t visit any of these 35 Places You’re Most Likely to Catch COVID.
Eat This, Not That!
Where Are Flu Shots Available
During flu season, flu vaccines are available in a number of places:
- Pharmacies, including those within grocery and big-box stores
- Doctors office
- Student health clinic
- Local health department
Some schools and workplaces also sponsor flu shot events on their premises. The CDC also has a vaccine finder website you can use to find both influenza and coronavirus vaccines in your area.
Depending on your insurance coverage, your flu shot may be free or discounted. If you do have to pay full price for a flu shot, its apt to run you $30 to $40. If you cant get a free flu shot, compare prices using our pharmacy directory and show your free SingleCare prescription discount card to your pharmacist to get the best deal possible.
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