Travel Vaccinations

[pwc51]

Now I have reached the 'new normal' and am back at work full time (still on methatrexate 20mg / pred 7.5mg + all the other meds to counteract the bad side effects [bones and blood pressure]) I am being asked to travel again. One of the countries I am being asked to visit requires Yellow Fever injections. I had one of these about 5 years ago before onset of WG 9 months ago. Does anyone know if this will still be effective? Reason for asking is that this is the one vaccine I am not allowed as it uses a live vaccine rather than a dead one.

[elephant]

You would have to ask a immunologist or CDC infectious disease. They are the experts. I would say not because you are immunosuppressed. But that is my opinion, you need a expert. Don't want to risk your health.

[Sangye]

They should be able to titer the yellow fever antibody in your blood-- ie, measure if you still have sufficient antibodies to yellow fever. I agree with Elephant that you really need to see an infectious disease specialist. Regardless, is it a good idea to be traveling to places with such diseases while you're immunosuppressed? Even when I had a strong immune system in Africa, I was sick all the time.

[pwc51]

Thank you all - Strange as it may seem I had forgotten about my immunosuppressed state! This is probably the more important point and should rule out travel to such locations until that situation is improved. I will act accordingly!

[andrew]

My PCP told me when I enquired about vaccinations and being around people that were sick (e.g. Whooping cough) that my Immune system had probably 'forgotten' any contact I'd had with these illnesses prior to diagnosis. Definitely see a specialist.

[pberggren1]

What is PCP?

[Doug]

I had plasmapheresis in the course of my initial treatment. My sense of it is that because antibodies, beneficial or not, are stripped off the plasma, and that a person is something like an infant in terms of his or her state of immuno system. Any comments?

[elephant]

PCP- primary care physician.

[andrew]

I had plasmapheresis in the course of my initial treatment. My sense of it is that because antibodies, beneficial or not, are stripped off the plasma, and that a person is something like an infant in terms of his or her state of immuno system. Any comments?

Kinda the way I see it too. Infants can develop an immune reaction to various 'nasties' whereas we're running naked through the flames (metaphorically speaking).

[Sangye]

LOL-- sure feels like it! :D

Boy did I miss your humor, Andrew! Now we've gotta get Jack and Moyan back, too. Those two crack me up.

[Lightwarrior]

Kinda the way I see it too. Infants can develop an immune reaction to various 'nasties' whereas we're running naked through the flames (metaphorically speaking).

Great metaphor Andrew..running naked through the flames is why it is so easy for us to crash and burn. It is always opposite day for us though, we have to stay away from immune system boosters.

[Doug]

"running naked through the flames" - a grim spectacle....!

[elephant]

Haven't we all been running through the flames! :)

[Sangye]

Maybe he meant the naked part.... :D

[elephant]

Yea, that too. :)

[MCC]

I think the yellow fever vaccinnation is valid 10 years.

Does anyone know if we can have flu vaccinations? I've been offered one by my GP and although I don't intend to take it up anyway, it crossed my mind that someone with Wegener's probably shouldn't have it.

[Lola]

Mandycc,
You can have the influenza vaccination if you choose because it is not live. I had both the seasonal and the H1N1 vaccinations without problems, but the subject is quite controversial on this forum. You cannot have live vaccines, such as for shingles.