Flu jabs

[Gemma]

2 things - firstly, a reminder to everybody to arrange their flu jabs.
Secondly - for people on warfarin, the following may be worth mentioning to the nurse when you go for your flu ***, or any other inoculation for that matter:
http://www.ismaap.org/54.0.html
"Any intravenous or subcutaneous injections that heart valve patients require may be given at any time without problem. More problematic, however, are intramuscular injections, e.g. into the gluteal, humeral or femoral muscle. These injections must not be given to patients taking oral anticoagulant medication because of the risk of bleeding and possible damage to the nerves and muscle tissue.

The usual immunization injections (against influenza, tetanus, hepatitis A and B, diphtheria, etc) can be given, as most of them can be administered subcutaneously. However, the needle should be inserted just below the skin on the outside of the upper arm (see photo) or the outside front surface of the thigh."

There are photos on the page itself if you follow the link, in case anyone fancies printing it out.
Jim's going at the end of the month for his.
Gemma.

 

[Ross]

Risk of bleeding from an injection? Not likely. We get injections straight into the muscle over here. There is no side sliding or the like in the U.S.

 

[Gemma]

Well, it's an international site but based in Europe (Germany?) I think. Was wondering if it was really something to worry about or just over-cautiousness.
Maybe the nurses are gentler in America!!! From some of the jabs I had when younger, I can see how you might get bruising/bleeding!!

 

[tobagotwo]

Sounds to me like they're referring to the classic antibiotic shot in the behind: sink the needle to the bone and back up just enough to dump all the injectible contents.

That creates a nasty bruise even in a non-ACT person, so I can see the warning for that type of injection. My son got one of those when he had a strep throat once. He wanted to go fishing the next day, and couldn't go if he just took the pills. It was such a nasty shot, and so nastily done, that the nurse would have been shocked to know how close she came to meeting her Maker at the hands of an overprotective father.

I believe that was the type of injection that they were referring to in the warning memo. The appearance is that they excluded most of the basic vaccinations from the caution, given that they are done in a certain way (just under the skin). In fact, I have had flu injections that I couldn't feel enough to be sure I'd actually gotten the shot.

Best wishes,

 

[LUVMyBirman]

There was something on the news 'here is the US'.. that flu vaccine supplies were contaminated. With what I am not certain???. They urged you to ask your physcian for further information. Will see if I can drum up an article.

http://www.keepmedia.com/pubs/HealthDay/2004/08/27/553331?extID=10032&oliID=213

 

[Ross]

http://www.cdc.gov/nip/flu/bulletins-flu/2004-05/bulletin1_032604.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/nip/flu/bulletins-flu/2004-05/bulletin2_052004.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/transcripts/t040827.htm

 

[Susan BAV]

Cholesterol medication and flu shots are a couple of things I won't have/take.

And remember that the nose-sprayed flu vaccines with the live virus is a no-no for most (or all?) of us valvers. Anyone remember the details about that? There were posts about that last fall that some of the newer members may not be aware of but I can't remember all of the details.

 

[alicia]

Is it already that time of year?

Alicia

 

[Gemma]

Alicia

Alicia

Yes, apparently it is! Jim's mum had a Christmas card catalogue through the door on Wednesday .