Posted on 22 Nov 2012 at 10:54AM by admin Adrienne Cox, MS Nurse Specialist, gives her advice on flu jabs for people with MS. Earlier this month the Department for Health launched a campaign to encourage people across the UK to get the winter flu jab. They’re particularly appealing to older people, and those with long term health conditions like MS, to take the vaccination – but should you take it? It’s been a hot topic on the MSS forum over the last few weeks. Some say it’s helped, others say they’re worried it’ll bring on flu like symptoms, or that it’s just another medication they’d rather not have to consider. For many people with MS catching flu doesn’t just mean a couple of days in bed with a runny nose: it can lead to a worsening of existing symptoms, or in severe cases a relapse or even the development of bronchitis or pneumonia. Of course, not having the jab doesn’t mean to say you’ll develop flu this winter, but the Government’s suggestion is ‘prevention is the best course of action’. People with MS are eligible to take the treatment, which is free, and available at your local GP surgery or health centre. Whether or not you take the jab is down to personal choice; we recommend you speak to your MS nurse or GP for further advice. The NHS Choices website provides lots of helpful advice on the flu jab, and keeping warm and well this winter…including a flu and cold myth buster.
Posted on: Wed, 30 Oct 2013 09:06:59 +0000
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