dear all,
I know it has been long time since my last post.
I was reading some of your posts about H1N1 flu shots. In spain the vaccination against H1N1 flu won't start until the next 15th November.
Our doctor recommend David to be vaccinated against regular flu, the question is, does he need to take both vaccines? is there some adverse reaction associated?
Is the H1N1 vaccine safe enough?
best regards,
Carmen
Hi Carmen, nice to hear from you. I think it might be a good idea to research the current recommendation from the EMEA ...see under Newsire Oct. 2nd.
It was recommended that I have pneumovax (which I did at the end of summer) as I had lost my immunity to the pneumonia virus' because of my stem cell transplant. currently I am very glad I did that because I contracted a nasty bug when I attended a patient advocates meeting in Munich the weekend before last. This bug quickly transformed a sore throat and irritating cough into full blown bronchitis... which I am still suffering from but getting slowly better;o)
It might have been that it started as H1N1 as I had a slight rise in temp which quickly disappeared, but the cough grew much worse and I am still being treated with antibiotics.
I understand that for most people the H1N1 virus is fairly mild compared to seasonal flu. But for some it develops quickly into pneumonia which is the danger.
This is why it is suggested that you are best to check your pneumonia antigens and have a top up vaccine called pneumovax.
I suggest David talks to his doctor about this.
What region in Spain do you live? If it is near Pamplona I recommend you get in touch with Dr. Olavarria (ex Hammersmith) who now works there. Contact me through this site if you need his contact.
best wishes,
Sandy
Dear Sandy,
thank you for the information.
David suffered from severe bronchitis the past two weeks (he was scared as some bleeding appeared). Doctor never mentioned the possibility of pneumonia.
We are from Barcelona, do you know someone there?
i will ask his doctor about the H1N1 vaccine, but in Spain it won't be available until 15th november at least. In the mean time, cross the fingers waiting that he is not too exposed.
Carmen
Dear Carmen..... I will contact you about a CML specialist in Barcelona.
I would say the it is more important to have the 'pneumovax' vaccine as it protects from the majority of pneumonia strains and is readily available.
If David has had bronchitis recently then you should check out with his doctor in case he needs 'pneumovax'. I hope he has recovered now (I still have quite a severe cough)
I will be in touch,
Best wishes,
Sandy
Advice from both family doctor and hospital here in UK - to have the vaccine. As cancer patient in UK suggestion is to have 2 shots 3 weeks apart. Had my first today, no side effects so far.
ATB
Pennie
