# The 'flu jab, a warning.

**URL:** <https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/t/the-flu-jab-a-warning/8357>\
**Category:** Everyday living\
**Created:** [26 September 2015 21:21 UTC](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/t/the-flu-jab-a-warning/8357 "2015-09-26T21:21:43Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![DoctorGeoff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5e925/32.png) [@DoctorGeoff](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/u/DoctorGeoff)\
**Post date:** [26 September 2015 21:21 UTC](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/t/the-flu-jab-a-warning/8357/1 "2015-09-26T21:21:43Z")

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Today, my wife and I went for our annual flu jab.

She got the needle, and I did not.

Nurse asked the routine question: "Are either of you on antibiotics?\*  
My response of “Yes” meant come back another time.

Now I am halfway through a one week course of antibiotics, for something that is all too common in MS circles - the dreaded UTI. Wednesday I had a session with a Urology consultant - and this included taking a sample of urine with me. It seems that whatever the nurse looks for when she does a quick check was just over the line into the UTI area. The sample is now in the lab for a full analysis, and I have to take the tablets “just in case”.

**So, do remember that antibiotics and the flu jab are a no-no**.

Geoff

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**Author:** ![Anitra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e68b1a/32.png) [@Anitra](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/u/Anitra)\
**Post date:** [26 September 2015 21:39 UTC](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/t/the-flu-jab-a-warning/8357/2 "2015-09-26T21:39:31Z")

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Never been specifically asked that!

Always asked the much more general: “Are you well?” To which my usual answer is: “Well no, I’m never well - I have MS. Which is why I need the flu’ jab. But if you mean: ‘Do I have an infection?’, then no, I don’t think so.”

Tina

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**Author:** ![Inactive\_User](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/3e96dc/32.png) [@Inactive\_User](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/u/Inactive_User)\
**Post date:** [27 September 2015 14:04 UTC](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/t/the-flu-jab-a-warning/8357/3 "2015-09-27T14:04:45Z")

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Does that mean that as I’m always on low course of antibiotics to prevent UTI, that I won’t be able to have flu jab?

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**Author:** ![DoctorGeoff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5e925/32.png) [@DoctorGeoff](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/u/DoctorGeoff)\
**Post date:** [28 September 2015 10:00 UTC](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/t/the-flu-jab-a-warning/8357/4 "2015-09-28T10:00:24Z")

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Hi Sarah  
You must ask this question of your GP or. failing that, of a practice nurse.  
My gut reaction would be to stop several days before the flu jab, and not start for a few days after.  
That is based on a feeling that a dose of flu is really unpleasant, while a UTI should respond to a standard course of antibiotics.  
My antibiotics run out on Wednesday morning, so I would probably be OK by Saturday. However, I have an appointment with the cardiac nurse in two weeks so I may play safe and see if it can be done then,  
Do ask your surgery - or even a pharmacist.

Geoff