I've had confirmed swine flu - so why am I being offered the vaccine?

[whomovedmychocolate]

That's it really. I had clinically confirmed swine flu. I am in a higher risk group (heart condition) and have just received a letter from GP asking me to come in for a swine flu jab and a regular flu jab (wouldn't normally be offered that either!)

'Clinically confirmed' - does that mean swabbed? Do you know if I can get a blood test to see if I've had it? I really wonder if my bronchitis which I've had for 6 weeks has had anything to do with SF, particularly as the children had what the gp said was SF [though it was short lived and no cough]

At least you have peace of mind that you don't need the jab....

Yes - swabbed.

And I don't know whether they are offering it because they think I may not have made a good immune response - so haven't got immunity and could get it again, or they assume if they give it me and the virus mutates significantly I am covered or what really?

In terms of your illness, I don't know, I paid for my swab privately because I was bloody fed up of being diagnosed with swine flu (for the third time) and to be frank with you, two of those incidences seemed very like swine flu and I only had one test which was positive. So I don't know if I had it twice and didn't make antibodies or if the first one wasn't or what

That is interesting, did you use medichecks? I used them in the summer when we were all ill and the test came back negative. What i've had recently has been far worse and deep in my lungs, but not really fluey. I've been offered Pandemrix, still a bit worried about animal studies that suggest a link with auto immune illness. Difficult. Can you call your doc? I suspect they may just have you on records as high risk and have sent an automated letter.

Well I've book my appt for 11:37 on Saturday (apparently they are holding special surgeries to get through everyone quickly). Perhaps it's worse round here than elsewhere. Who bloody knows?

They are offering you it because they think the virus will mutate, so you could get it again, i suspect i have had it this week, but seasonal flu is flying round aswell so could be either

Can you get swine flu twice? Yes

I am due to have jab either today at work or at GP on saturday-I can't decide whether to have it or not.

Had flu in sept resulting in chest infection so was that SF ?

Wish you could get tested for immunity

Thanks for that Vingertits

pofaced - yes I did use them and got a positive within 12 hours of sending the swab!

Because you can catch it twice. Just like normal influenza. Plus every year or so it is likely to mutate just like normal influenza.

right have had the jab

done and dusted

ggirl - any side effects yet? Is it a big needle or just a little one?

are you going to get the jab wmmc?

no side effects yet
slightly tender arm that's all

Yep. 11:27 on Saturday.

Hi WMMC: if you have definitely had laboratory-confirmed swine flu in the last few months, then a vaccination will not be of any extra benefit. The wild-type infection will likely have given you a stronger immunity against the currently prevailing strain.

Yes I realise that's against the NHS advice linked to by VinegarTits but it just doesn't make sense; since there's no evidence that the virus has mutated significantly, recently.

The vaccine won't do you any harm, and might give you protection for future years as it guards against the anticipated drifting of strains. However that data is based on a two-dose schedule, which isn't implemented at the moment.

Anyway for this year your 'natural' infection should have generated sufficient immunity, if you do decide to wait a bit.

PS if your GP is not aware of the private test result, that could explain the request for vaccination!

Musekebba - that's what I thought (GP does know about private test but generally does not know a lot about the SF one other than 'we've been told to give it to everyone who has a list of conditions' ). Having said I do have a history of autoimmune disease so maybe that's why. Perhaps if I have it I will get the two dose effect IYSWIM as I already have some immunity?

We have been told to offer the swine flu vaccine where previous swine flu has been suspected, however if it was confirmed by swab then no need for the vaccine as you will have natural immunity.

It would be a good idea for you to have the seasonal flu jab though and possibly the pneumonia vaccine depending on the nature of your heart condition.