The Flu Shot

I asked my doctor, Dr. RD if I can take any vaccination even though my level of CD4 was initially low.She said I can be vaccinated if I want to and she prescribed 4 vaccinations, one of which is the yearly flu (influenza) shot.

I got this from the CDC Fact Sheet:

HIV/AIDS and Influenza (Flu)

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). HIV kills or damages cells in the body’s immune system, gradually destroying the body’s ability to fight infection and certain cancers. 

People with HIV/AIDS are considered at increased risk from serious influenza-related complications. Studies have shown an increased risk for heart- and lung-related hospitalizations in people infected with HIV during influenza season as opposed to other times of the year, and a higher risk of influenza-related death in HIV-infected people. Other studies have indicated that influenza symptoms might be prolonged and the risk of influenza-related complications higher for certain HIV-infected people. Vaccination with a 

flu shot has been shown to produce an immune response against influenza viruses in certain people infected with HIV. Because influenza can result in serious illness, HIV-infected persons are recommended for vaccination.  

Should people with HIV/AIDS receive the inactivated influenza vaccine? 

People with chronic underlying medical conditions, including HIV/AIDS, should receive inactivated influenza vaccine (the flu shot). People with HIV/AIDS are considered at increased risk from serious influenza-related complications and should be vaccinated.Persons with advanced HIV disease may have a poor response to immunization. Therefore, chemoprophylaxis (use of antiviral medications for prevention) should be considered for these patients if they are likely to be 

exposed to people with influenza. 

Are there people with HIV/AIDS who should NOT receive the inactivated influenza 

vaccine? 

Contraindications to the use of inactivated influenza vaccine (the flu shot) in persons with HIV/AIDS are the same as those for uninfected persons ― a history of severe allergy (i.e., anaphylactic allergic reaction) to hens’ eggs, or a history of onset of Guillain-Barre syndrome during the 6 weeks after vaccination. 

Can people with HIV/AIDS receive the live attenuated flu vaccine (LAIV, sold 

commercially as FluMist)? 

No. Persons with HIV/AIDS and persons with other medical conditions are not recommended to receive the live influenza vaccine. LAIV contains a weakened form of the live influenza virus. LAIV is approved for use only among healthy persons between the ages of 5 and 29 years. 

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