Spotlight On: The Flu Shot

Why is getting the flu shot particularly important if you have heart disease?

For more than 30 years as an infectious disease specialist, Frederick G. Hayden has studied the ever-evolving and far-reaching world of influenza. This month he answers your questions about why protective measures are particularly important for those with heart disease and other chronic conditions. 

Why is getting the flu shot more important if you have heart disease or another chronic condition?

Certain conditions appear to put anyone, at any age, at greater risk of complications from all flu types. These include people who have diabetes, asthma or other lung conditions, various types of heart disease, or suppressed immune systems, and women who are pregnant. In addition, persons at both ends of the age spectrum, children less than 5 years old and adults over 65 years, are at increased risk of flu complications.   

Should I also consider the pneumonia vaccine?

Yes, if you are 65 years or older or are aged 2–64 years and have a chronic medical condition such as chronic cardiovascular disease (e.g., congestive heart failure [CHF] or cardiomyopathies), chronic pulmonary disease (e.g., COPD or emphysema), diabetes mellitus or chronic liver disease (cirrhosis). Also the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) is recommended for cigarette smokers and for those with asthma or other chronic pulmonary diseases in adults aged 19 through 64 years.  

I know smoking contributes to heart disease, but I’ve also heard it can increase complications from the flu. Is that true?

Studies show that smokers who get the flu do worse than non-smokers. Other research shows that nicotine may actually impair an immune response to the flu. In fact, one study showed that injecting nicotine into animals actually increased the amount of flu virus that grew. The risk of flu is just one of many reasons to stop smoking.

What should I do if I get the flu?

If you get the flu, consider taking medicine to control the infection. Unlike cold medicine that can only treat symptoms, prescription flu antivirals (zanamivir and oseltamivir) can shorten illness duration and lessen the risk of complications. This is important because flu-related complications are what can become deadly. These effective drugs came out of clinical trials conducted  in the 1990s and are now used worldwide to mitigate the effects of the flu. The UVA students and other volunteers who participated in our early trials in Charlottesville were instrumental in their development.  

In addition to getting vaccinated, what else can I do to prevent the flu?

Common sense will go a long way to helping you prevent the flu. Remember to wash your hands regularly and keep commonly touched surfaces clean. Avoid contact with sick people who may spread the virus through respiratory droplets. And if you get sick, stay home while you have symptoms to avoid spreading the virus to others. This is particularly important when considering whether to visit loved ones in the hospital as they are at an increased risk of contracting the virus and suffering from more severe complications.