Blog

What You Should Know About the 2016-2017 Influenza Season

Before we know it, Autumn will be here. Along with cooler temperatures, colorful leaves, pumpkin patches and football games comes flu season. The flu can wreak havoc. Every year, millions of people get sick, hundreds of thousands are hospitalized and thousands die from the flu.[1]

What do cancer patients & survivors- whose immune system may be weakened from cancer treatments- need to know about the flu?

Doctor’s offices around the country are vaccinating their patients for the upcoming 2016-2017 flu season NOW. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that people who have had cancer or who currently have a diagnosis of cancer- as well as their families and close contacts- get vaccinated before the end of October.

Below is important information that every cancer patient & survivor should know about the flu:

The flu shot is a seasonal vaccine. Every year it gets updated to protect against the strains of flu virus expected to cause illness in the upcoming flu season.

Having or surviving cancer does NOT put you at an increased risk for getting the flu per se. It does, however, put you at an increased risk of complications from the flu virus. Complications can include pneumonia, hospitalization and even death.

Getting the flu vaccine is your best protection against the flu. Always talk with your medical team prior to getting vaccinated. Under certain circumstances, there may be some cancer patients who should not get vaccinated.

For the 2016-2017 flu season, the CDC recommends the use of the flu shot (inactivated influenza vaccine or IIV) and the recombinant influenza vaccine (RIV) only. The nasal spray flu vaccine (live attenuated influenza vaccine or LAIV) should NOT be used for anyone- with or without cancer- this year.[2]

Call the doctor if you think you’ve been exposed to the flu. You may be prescribed an antiviral medication, which can help stop the virus from infecting your body.

If you have flu-like symptoms, contact your health care provider immediately.

Because people with cancer are at an increased risk of pneumonia, talk to your health care provider about the pneumococcal vaccine when you discuss the flu shot.

If you haven’t already gotten a flu shot, schedule an appointment with your doctor today.

[1] http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/rr/rr6505a1.htm?s_cid=rr6505a1_w
[2] http://www.cdc.gov/flu/index.htm

Comments(16)

REPLY
ray tabaka says
October 27, 2016 at 3:16 am

I got mine today at the shoppers drug mart where I get my persciptions
- REPLY
  Robyn Stoller says
  November 9, 2016 at 4:28 pm
  
  Thanks for sharing… it’s so convenient and easy to get a flu shot these days.
REPLY
Nick says
November 16, 2016 at 11:55 am

Yes now only if you had your eyes open, you’d see how sketchy it is that they’ve made it this easy. I’ll give you a hint…. They don’t do it because they like you and your family and think you’re good people 🙂
REPLY
Ursula says
November 21, 2016 at 6:14 am

My son got his Friday and has had a pin in his arm pit and arm every since. Is this a common side affect. He can’t lift his arm.
- REPLY
  Robyn Stoller says
  November 21, 2016 at 10:26 am
  
  We do not provide medical advice. If you have any concerns, please contact your doctor.
- REPLY
  buddy says
  January 19, 2017 at 11:34 am
  
  it been seven weeks and i still cannot lift my arm. one day after the flu shot my arm hurt and i could not lift it. i was hospitalized with a fast heart beat five days after i took the flu shot.i try to tell the doctors none of this started until i took the shot but it fell on deaf ears….i hope this will pass..
REPLY
Debbie says
November 29, 2016 at 11:33 am

I am a healthy 52 year old woman.
This is the 2nd time (2015 & 2016) that I have had a severe reaction to the vaccine.
Symptoms include:
Severe lower back pain.
Joint aches/pain
Severe flu symptoms.
Elevated ANA levels.
Is anyone else experiencing these symptoms shortly after receiving the flu vaccine?
- REPLY
  Robyn Stoller says
  November 29, 2016 at 11:44 am
  
  I have not experienced any of those symptoms. With that said, we do not provide medical advice. If you have any concerns, please contact your doctor.
- REPLY
  Bear says
  January 7, 2017 at 4:05 am
  
  The flu vaccine is VERY dangerous! Some of the most toxic substances on our planet are included in this cesspool of a vaccine. Do a search for what is really in the flu shot.
- REPLY
  susan says
  January 18, 2017 at 3:01 pm
  
  Yes, I had severe lower back pain and abdominal pain.
  - REPLY
    Krissie says
    January 23, 2017 at 8:36 am
    
    So have I… I currently am a victim of this treacherous mutated 2017 flu and I’m in so much pain. It’s agonizing. The throbbing extremely painful burst of pain shooting in multiple areas of my back and abdominal region every ten seconds is enough to make me wish this would end in death. I’ve never felt such severe pain in my life. This is the worst flu yet. This flu season is going to be the worst one yet.
REPLY
Bear says
January 7, 2017 at 4:03 am

DO PEOPLE NOT REALIZE…STILL…WHAT THEY ARE REALLY PUTTING INTO THEIR BODIES VIA A FLU SHOT??? SUCH SHEEPLE……
REPLY
Rishat Ahmetvaleev says
September 9, 2017 at 2:13 am

I have unique immunity. Gives the body an infection then struggles with the disease. My immunity is proved. I got sick with the flu, I was sick for 4 days. The second day he made a general blood test, white blood cells 9.0. The only symptom is a common cold.
Muslim. 3 times a day I take taharat in cold tap water, and 2 times in ice water from an artesian spring, my feet once a day but in warm water, and this is micro hardening. Immunity is good who drinks water from 2 to 3 liters a day, and I drink from 3 to 5 liters a day. I’m not working, a young pensioner is 40 years old. Quiet as a boa constrictor. Need evaluation
REPLY
Bệnh đau lưng ở phụ nữ says
February 8, 2018 at 9:58 am

It’s hard to come by experienced people in this particular topic,
however, you seem like you know what you’re talking about!
Thanks
REPLY
CBLM HFH says
April 3, 2020 at 10:06 am

Hey I was looking for useful information on Kidney Stone Surgery and just came across your blog and found it quite interesting, can’t wait to see your post. You’ve been sharing really insightful posts and I’m an avid reader of your posts. Keep sharing the knowledge and adding value to our lives.
REPLY
atolllPig says
January 23, 2022 at 9:24 pm

Throughout the season, the Influenza A H3N2 strain appeared most frequently. Symptom severity varies from year to year and can differ among patients. As WebMD reports, the H3N2 strain that was dominant during the 2016-2017 flu season was cause for concern.