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Anyone concerned about Swine Flu can get
more information from the following sources:
England and Wales:
www.nhs.uk or the Swine Flu
Information Line on 08001 513 513
Scotland:
www.nhs24.com
or NHS 24’s dedicated flu line on 08454 24 24 24
Northern Ireland:
www.dhsspsni.gov.uk or the N.I. Swine Flu
Helpline on 0800 0514142
Swine Flu and immunosupression
IBD Patients on standard doses of immunosuppressant therapy
(azathioprine or mercaptopurine) or anti-TNF therapy should not
be exceptionally susceptible to Swine Flu and are advised to
continue with their treatment, as the risk of active IBD and
subsequent need for drugs such as steroids would carry a greater
risk than that of contracting the infection. However, you may
wish to discuss your current treatment with your
Gastroenterologist or IBD Nurse Specialist to check whether your
dose, drug or recent blood tests indicate that you could be at
higher risk.
If you are receiving an immunosuppressant and have a household
contact with flu you should consult your GP who may, in
consultation with your IBD specialist, suggest that you take
anti-viral medication (Tamiflu) as a precaution. (Current
guidance from the Health Protection Agency on the use of
prophylactic Tamiflu can be found at
www.hpa.org.uk)
What to do if you think you have Swine Flu
If you have flu-like symptoms you should stay at home and call
your GP immediately for advice. Tell your doctor that you have
IBD and about any medication you are taking.
Early doses (within 48 hours of symptoms) of antiviral medicines
such as Tamiflu are thought to be effective in treating people
with Swine Flu. There is no known interaction between Tamiflu
and standard IBD drugs, and it is not thought to have any
harmful effects on IBD itself.
If you are receiving anti-TNF medication (Infliximab or Humira)
you should phone your IBD Nurse or contact person if you have a
fever or flu-like symptoms as your treatment may need to be
deferred.
Swine Flu vaccine
The Swine Flu (H1N1) vaccination is now available. Like the
seasonal influenza A and Pneumovax vaccines, the H1N1 vaccine is
inactivated and considered safe to use even in people whose
immune system is compromised. There is also no reason why the
swine flu vaccine should adversely affect the state of your
Crohn's Disease or Ulcerative Colitis.
NHS Choice states that the priority groups
for vaccination include people between the ages of six months
and sixty five years who are on immunosuppressive drugs: these
include prednisolone (in a dose of more than 20mg/day),
azathioprine, mercaptopurine, methotrexate, infliximab and
adalimumab. Other members of your household may also be
vaccinated if your immune system is compromised.
Furthermore, it is recommended that people
on immunosuppressive drugs should receive not only the H1N1
vaccination, but also seasonal flu vaccination and Pneumovax
(which is to reduce the chances of getting bacterial pneumonia).
We suggest that if you are on any
immunosuppressive drug, and have not had Swine Flu, you talk to
your GP soon about having these vaccinations. If in doubt about
your treatment, it would also be sensible to contact your
Gastroenterologist or IBD Nurse Specialist.
Specific advice regarding swine flu is likely to change over the
next
6 months. NACC will therefore update the advice to patients
whenever necessary. |
A good decision from NICE on antiTNF treatments for Crohn’s Disease
April
08 : down from ££6.85 to £5.00
