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The flu (influenza virus infection) can be a very serious
illness. The flu is not the sniffles or an upset stomach that goes away
in a couple of days, even though some people believe that. Influenza
commonly causes fever, body aches, tiredness, and a cough that can last
for weeks. Up to 1 in 5 Americans gets the flu each year, and over
200,000 are put in the hospital because of it. About 36,000 people each
year die from the problems caused by the flu.
The flu vaccine is the best way to prevent the flu. Talk to
your doctor about whether or not you should get the flu shot.
What about cancer patients getting
treatment?
People getting cancer treatment often have weak immune
systems. For them, the flu can lead to serious, even life-threatening
problems. The flu shot is recommended for most people with cancer.
Many people with cancer worry that the flu shot will make them
sick or cause a reaction with other medicines they are taking. Talk to
your doctor about this -- he or she knows your situation best and can
tell you if you should get the shot and when is the best time to get
it. Some people do get symptoms, such as a low grade fever or achy
muscles, after a flu shot. These symptoms are caused by the immune
system reacting to the flu shot and should go away in a day or so. The flu shot cannot cause the flu.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that
people with a high risk of having serious problems if they get the flu
should get the flu shot every year before flu season begins. It is best
if they get it as soon as it is available, or before December. (Flu
season is usually from November to April and peaks in January and
February each year.) People who are at high risk for problems if they
get the flu includes anyone with a weak immune system due to cancer
treatment with x-rays (radiation) or drugs (chemotherapy). Those who
are very sick should talk to their cancer doctor about getting a flu
shot before they do it.
The CDC also recommends that anyone that lives with or cares
for a person at high risk for flu-related problems get the vaccine,
too. That means that if you are in cancer treatment, your family
members and children at home should get the flu shot.
Remember that
if you have an allergy to chicken eggs you should not get the flu shot.
What types of flu vaccines are recommended
for people with cancer?
Cancer patients do have to be careful about the type of flu
vaccine they get. There are 2 types available:
- inactivated
vaccines are made up of killed virus and are given as
actual shots or injections, most often in the arm
- live vaccines
are made up of weakened live virus and are given as a nasal spray
People with
cancer and their family members should get the inactivated flu shot,
NOT the nasal spray.
How do flu shots work?
Both flu vaccines (the flu shot and the nasal-spray flu
vaccine) work in the same way. They cause the body to make antibodies
that protect it against influenza virus infection. It takes up to 2
weeks after the shot for the body to do this. This is why you should
get the flu shot as soon as you can. That way your body has time to
form the protection you need before flu season starts.
Remember, if you
have a serious illness like cancer, you should talk to your doctor
before getting a flu shot.
Additional resources
More information from your American Cancer
Society
We have selected some related information that may also be
helpful to you. These materials may be ordered from our toll-free
number.
- After Diagnosis: A Guide for Patients and Families (also
available in Spanish)
National organizations and Web sites*
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Toll-free number: 1-800-232-4636
Web site: www.cdc.gov
*Inclusion on
this list does not imply endorsement by the American Cancer Society.
No matter who you are, we can help. Contact us anytime, day or
night, for information and support. Call us at 1-800-ACS-2345 (1-800-227-2345) or
visit www.cancer.org.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Seasonal Flu
Vaccine. Available at: www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/fluvaccine.htm.
Accessed October 14, 2008.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Key Facts about
Seasonal Influenza. Available at: www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm.
Accessed October 15, 2008.
Department of Health and Human Services. Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention. Inactivated Influenza Vaccine 2008-09: What You
Need to Know. Available at:
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-flu.pdf. Accessed
October 14, 2008.
Last Medical Review: 10/17/2008
Last Revised: 10/17/2008
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