Younger but with mild underlying health condition

[whatsthatnow74]

Hi,

I’m 45, generally fit and healthy but have a moderate mitral valve prolapse (so basically a leaky heart valve whereby blood regurgitates back the wrong way). I’m don’t take medication for it and it causes me no problems. I’m checked out in cardiology every five years.

My worry is that the last two times that I’ve had flu (last time was about 8 years ago, then about a few years prior to that) I’ve been very ill with chest problems, both time’s led to pleurisy. Obviously I recovered on both occasions but feel that my heart may have been weakened both times.

Does anyone else on here have a similar concern?

Hi, I have a valve disorder too and don't have any check-ups or any medicine for it. The only thing I am told about is not to have any piercings and I have prophylactic antibiotics if I ever need any dental procedures. I've never had flu and am in my mid-20s. I don't even know if I have an increased risk or not.

@daffodilsandblossom I don’t think I’m at any increased risk of getting the virus (my immune system is pretty tough) but I’m concerned about the impact of a respiratory illness in my dodgy valve

Are you eligible for the free flu vaccine? I have no idea if I am eligible but new guidelines are those who are eligible for the flu vaccine will soon be asked to self-isolate for 12 weeks

Hi, can I aak where you saw that advice? I am eligible for the flu vaccine as I am asthmatic. Thanks

I believe it was Chris Whitty who said that in the press conference @franhat. I’m diabetic so eligible and it’s been said diabetics are higher risk but they were not very clear on what they meant, they just kept saying ‘underlying health conditions’ and ‘serious health conditions’. I’m hoping PHE will publish a statement on it soon.

My dh is in his 50s and has diabetes but generally in good health. I don't think he will be keen to self isolate at all.

Yes I get a free flu vaccine for my valve prolapse

I wondered about this also, I have beta blockers for irregular heartbeats and also had asthma diagnosed years ago (haven't used my inhaler for a good five years though) and don't qualify for flu jab....any thoughts....!?

Dh gets free flu vaccine but is v unclear whether this means he should self isolate. And not at all keen to do so

@taptonaria27 it was mentioned as a criteria during the press conference. TBH I would rather be safe than sorry given my past experiences with flu!

I am wanting to know more on this too.

I have asthma, which is poorly controlled and has been getting worse recently. (Having to use my reliever inhaler at least twice each walk to work and waking me up most nights). I am on the maximum allowed daily dose of Fostair but it doesn't seem to work well anymore.

I have an appointment on 25th to review my medications, but worried it will be cancelled.

I get the flu jab each year (on nhs).

I am genuinely confused if I count as part of the at risk group that will have to isolate for 12 weeks. I can work from home so I can do. However I don't know if i need to or not.

I have no idea if I am entitled to a free flu jab. I get a mass text telling me when the flu vaccine clinics are but I assumed all patients got that? I have never received a letter.

I don't even know what my heart condition is called, I have only ever had it referred to as a heart murmur but I know it is to do with one of the valves. It literally does not affect me at all and I forget I even have it until times like now where I am on the brink of a panic attack thinking I now need to stay at home for three months.

I've never had a text, I think that's only people with a condition that are eligible

I too have a congenital heart defect. I had surgery as a child to fix my aorta. I get offered a flu jab but I've always had the suspicion this was due to my mum demanding it when I was a teenager & then I just kept getting one each year IYSWIM! I have just been checking & found a link indicating I am in the higher risk group, I am entitled to the flu jab & so I am considering isolating. It has been stressful trying to work this out so just thought I'd share. I'm in Scotland hence the link being from The Scottish Government.

www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/cmo/CMO(2019)11.pdf

The wording was: People in adult life who would normally be advised to have the flu jab with chronic conditions like chronic heart disease or chronic kidney disease."

So I'm not quite sure what that covers.

You might not be at an increased risk of catching the virus, but if you do catch it the illness might be more severe for you, because of your heart condition. If I were you, I'd self isolate if at all possible.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults

I feel that much more guidance is needed for people with underlying health conditions as to whether or not these suggested restrictions are for them.

I have Type 2 Diabetes and also Graves Disease (an autoimmune disorder). I am given a flu vaccine every year. I believe the restrictions probably are for me, but I don't know for certain. I am being as careful as I can be though. I work largely from home anyway, and I have always been something of a hermit in that I don't like much in the way of social gatherings.

I have mitral valve prolapse too. No symptoms but I get an echo every 5 years now, given precautionary antibiotics at times, get a flu jab annually and have been given one for pneumonia also. I work in a college so even social distancing is going to be a problem. What am I expected to do?

www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults.

Here's the latest guidelines it's quite clear as far as it goes. Most people are just going to be strongly advised to practice social distancing at the moment.

I don't even know the type of heart murmur I have! I just know it is one of my valves does not fully open. I have not had a check-up since I was a child. Think I will have to phone my GP tomorrow and ask.