'Flu Shots + HIV+ People

[fuckyouraw777]

When the regular 'flu shots come about there is a tick box to ask if the recipient is HIV+.

Is this because the shots may interact differently with someone who is HIV+? Or are they concerned that it may play up with certain treatments commonly used/given to HIV+ people?

Just curious really.

[GermanFucker]

To the best of my knowledge:

On the one hand flu shots are more important for the immunocopromised. That also includes e.g. recipients of organ transplants on corticosteroids etc. On the other hand, the success of a certain vaccination depends on the immune response to the vaccine. So those who sometimes need the shots the most are also often the ones form who the shots are the least effective.

While many HIV+ patients have successfully rebuilt their T-cell count over years of ARV therapy, it is of interest for the doctor to know if a patient is poz, if only to monitor if the shot works as planned (or consider repeat vaccinations etc.).

[bearbandit]

What Germanfucker said... plus it's important for our future medical treatment that seemingly random questions are asked of everyone, gathering data for the future. The most important question, though, is the one about allergy to hen's eggs: since they're used as the growing media for the virus that is eventualy used for the vaccine, you really need to be honest on that one. Not every question asked by a doctor has sinister intent behind it...

[rawTOP]

Yeah, they're probably just trying to show that the flu shots they gave out went to the people who most needed them. It may help them get flu shots in the future when there's a shortage. If they can say 90% of the ones we give out go to the highest risk groups then it strengthens their position. [but just guessing with all that.]

[totalasspig]

I get a flu shot every year and pneumonia shot every two years since my diagnosis. Never experienced any kind of waiting, doctor always had it in stock.

[bb1991]

I don't know about Australia but in the UK Free Flu Jabs are only given to those at risk of complications from the flu: the elderly and those with suppressed immune systems (not just HIV - cancer patients and those on certain medication etc. etc.).

Tick box could just to confirm the vaccinations are going to the right people

[einathens]

for some reason i'm under the impression that a recent flu shot can give a false positive result when getting an hiv test.