Flu shot while sick - would you do it?

starshine514

DIS Veteran
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Nov 21, 2010
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So, I wanted to get my girls the flu shot before we go to Disneyland at the beginning of November. I thought we would get them at the beginning of October. I myself got mine (they came around at work) on September 29. I was starting to come down with something and had a cold that I eventually shared with both of my daughters. They were almost cleared up enough that I thought they could handle the shot when DD6 and I caught another nasty bug that we are currently still fighting.

My DD6 and I both have a genetic blood disorder that causes our bodies to kill off our red blood cells when fighting infections, so we get weak very quickly when we are sick and take a while to recover. I've read that you need a minimum of two weeks for the flu shot to begin to kick in, and that at least 3 weeks is better. However, we are currently down to about 2.5 weeks at this point. She is no longer running a fever; she just has congestion and a cough.

If it were you, would you still try to get the girls vaccinated before the trip? If so, when do you think you would do it? I'm planning on taking them to a Walgreens clinic and getting them thimersol-free shots.

Also, if you're anti-flu-shot, please don't post that opinion on this thread. I don't want to start a debate as to the effectiveness of vaccinations, ok?
 
You talk about how you guys have a blood disorder that makes you weaker so that to me personally sounds like reason enough to not do the flu shot until you guys feel 100% better. If you're the unlucky fraction of a percent that it decides to be nasty for that one time and you're already compromised, it sounds unpleasant! :eek:

It's all rough estimates with the amount of time it takes for something to work and frankly I'd say you're just as likely to catch the stomach flu or norovirus or pinkeye or a plain old cold or about a million other things down there as the flu. So I would take it easy, get 100% better, then get the vaccination. And just be vigilant while you're on your trip.

If you chose to go ahead with it anyway, I agree with what I think you were saying in that you should insist that they get a SHOT, which is the dead virus and far less likely to cause issues then the MIST which is weakened.
 
I definately would talk to your dr. In most cases, I'd say that yes, it's fine to get the flu shot with the mild sick level. However, since they're at high risk, you really need to talk to a dr.
 

Talk to your doctor, but I wouldn't get a flu shot if I was feeling slightly sick (cold, stuffy nose, etc) and I don't have any health issues.
 
Talk to you doctor. I had an appointment for my DD (15 mo) to get a flu shot a week ago. She had a cold. I called and asked and they told me to wait until she was feeling better.
 
Thanks for the advice guys. I'll give her doctor's office a call. They never have the flu shot until late in the season, so I gave up trying to get flu shots there years ago. But, hopefully, they'll give me advice. :)
 
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I would look up the insert of the shot you're wanting to get, and read it to see what the people that made it say. Or go to your appointment and ask for the insert and read it then.

I mean...you're GOING to read the insert fully anyway, right? As we all should with every medication we take?


I remember reading the insert for the eye-dilating drops and being very surprised that they CAN cause heart problems! It's amazing the info they have in the box (that the doctor is supposed to give you)...
 
I would look up the insert of the shot you're wanting to get, and read it to see what the people that made it say. Or go to your appointment and ask for the insert and read it then.

I mean...you're GOING to read the insert fully anyway, right? As we all should with every medication we take?


I remember reading the insert for the eye-dilating drops and being very surprised that they CAN cause heart problems! It's amazing the info they have in the box (that the doctor is supposed to give you)...

I worked in a Pediatric Neurology clinic.

Whenever one of our doctors would be prescribing a new medication, he would take the side effects of Tylenol and compare them to the side effects of this "new medication" People tend to freak out when they start reading side effects on a medication, but they are legally obligated to mention any minuscule side effect that could ever be possible. Case in point... on tylenol which many people readily take without any caution. If would always calm the parents down.

About the flu shot... I would def. consult your child's doctor, but it should be fine as long as she doesn't have a fever. (not familiar if there are any precautions with the blood disorder) Good Luck!
 
I would look up the insert of the shot you're wanting to get, and read it to see what the people that made it say. Or go to your appointment and ask for the insert and read it then.

I mean...you're GOING to read the insert fully anyway, right? As we all should with every medication we take?


I remember reading the insert for the eye-dilating drops and being very surprised that they CAN cause heart problems! It's amazing the info they have in the box (that the doctor is supposed to give you)...
:thumbsup2
 
The idea behind not getting the flu shot while you're sick comes from the body not being able to build up antibodies to the influenza virus if it's fighting off another virus. Therefore the effectiveness of the vaccine could be compromised. You're doctor can give you the best advice on whether or not they are too sick to get one.

My advice? If you can't get the shot before you leave, be sure that they practice excellent hygiene. Meaning wash their hands often and try to keep their hands away from their faces. And although it may be a little excessive, you can always pack some Lysol wipes in your luggage and wipe EVERYTHING down in the hotel room when you get there and at any other time you feel it necessary to do.

Have a great trip!!! :cool1:
 
Maybe it's just where I live, but kids under the age of 14 can't get their flu shots at a pharmacy store (like Walgreens). We could only go to the peds office or some type of medical clinic. I know it was this way last year, too. But like I said, it just might be our county/state.

Anyway, I wouldn't get the flu shot now. Just wait until you get back from your trip. Use extra caution at the parks with hand washing/sanitizing, and telling the kids to keep their hands away from their faces.

Good luck. I got our flu shots a couple of weeks ago. Our trip is in 2 weeks. :)
 
My personal opinion would be not to get it. From what I understand, the flu shot is used to build the antibodies needed to fight the certain infection and therefore when you come into contact with those germs, they won't make you sick.
If her immune system is already low due to a recent illness, I don't see how it would be possible for the body to create new antibodies, you might risk her getting sick before and throughout the trip!
 













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