With regards to the flu season advice, just one warning. If you are taking PTU or Tapazole you should only get a flu shot with the cooperation of your prescribing doctor, or some other doctor that KNOWS you are on it. I’m not sure of the intricacies of the problem, but I know that my PCP last year recommended the shot but only gave it to me in incremental doses. She did NOT give me the full dose all at once, and it was because I was on PTU. It has to do with the fact that ANTITHYROID DRUGS lower the body’s resistance to infection. The following quote is from a drug reference that I found on the web:
“While you are being treated with antithyroid agents, and after you stop treatment with it, DO NOT HAVE ANY IMMUNIZATIONS (VACCINATIONS) WITHOUT YOUR DOCTOR’S APPROVAL. Antithyroid agents may lower your body’s resistance and there is a chance you might get the infection the immunization is meant to prevent. In addition, other persons living in your household should not take or have recently taken oral polio vaccine since there is a chance they could pass the polio virus on to you. Also, avoid other persons who have taken oral polio vaccine. Do not get close to them, and do not stay in the same room with them for very long. If you cannot take these precautions, you should consider wearing a protective face mask that covers the nose and mouth.” (The capitalized letters were their’s not mine, so I think this is a warning to be taken seriously.)
Take good care of yourselves.
Bobbi
