People withinflammatory bowel disease (IBD)may be at an increased risk for complications from theflu (influenza). That’s because IBD affects the immune system, and medications used to treat IBD—like Humira—weaken the immune system.
For many people, the flu is a manageable illness, but for people who are immunocompromised, it can be serious. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), deaths from the flu vary widely every year because of the variation in flu seasons. Since 1976, flu death totals in the US have ranged from 3,000 and 49,000 a year. Most of the fatalities are people over the age of 65.
Blend Images / Getty Images
Complications From the Flu
The flu can lead to complications, which can be life threatening.
Common complications from the flu can include:
IBD Drugs That Are Immunosuppressants
Immunosuppressive drugs are commonly used to treat IBD, and people taking these types of medications are considered to be at higher risk for developing complications from the flu.
There are a few categories of medications for IBD that may have immunosuppressant effects; immunomodulators, steroids, biologics, and small molecules.
Someimmunomodulatordrugs include:
Somecorticosteroidmedications include:
Somebiologicsinclude:
Some small molecules include:
When to Get a Flu Shot
Since the timing of the onset, peak, and end of flu season changes from year to year and cannot be predicted, it is difficult to pinpoint the best time for getting vaccinated.
For people taking medications that suppress the immune system, the optimum time to receive a flu shot is from October to mid-November.
Flu shots are generally available in early September. The flu shot should be scheduled well before the flu season starts because it can take one to two weeks for the shot to take effect.
Flu activity usually peaks between December and February, with some activity as late as May. Therefore, you can have your vaccination later, if necessary, because receiving a shot late is better than not getting one at all.
IBD drugs should not prevent someone with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis from getting the flu shot.
Differences Between Shot and Nasal Vaccine
The inactivated flu shot contains dead viruses and will not give the recipient the flu. The nasal-spray flu vaccine is a live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) that contains a live, weakened flu virus. The virus can potentially make a person sick with the flu.
People taking immunosuppressive drugs should get the flu shot, LAIV is not recommended for anyone who has a chronic disease, including IBD., or for people taking immunosuppressive medications.
Is the Flu Shot a Live Virus? What to Know About the Flu Shot
A Word From Verywell
A flu shot is an important part of care for anyone who has IBD. Getting vaccinated helps protect against the flu and related complications. While it’s never “too late” to get a flu shot, it’s recommended that vaccination take place starting in October. The flu season spikes at different times across the country, and while it is somewhat predictable, it’s best to get vaccinated early to have the best possible chance of avoiding the flu.
2 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Flu Symptoms & Complications. CDC.gov. September 18, 2019.Sands BE, Cuffari C, Katz J, Kugathasan S, Onken J, Vitek C, Orenstein W.Guidelines for immunizations in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.Inflamm Bowel Dis.Sep 2004. 08 Oct 2007. doi:10.1097/00054725-200409000-00028Additional ReadingAlsahli M, Farrell RJ.Opportunistic Infections in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America.14 Oct 2005. doi:10.1093/ibd/izz147Melmed GY, Ippoliti AF, Papadakis KA, Tran TT, Birt JL, Lee SK, Frenck RW, Targan SR, Vasiliauskas EA.Patients with inflammatory bowel disease are at risk for vaccine-preventable illnesses.Am J Gastroenterol.Aug 2006. 08 Oct 2007. doi:10.1111/j.1572-0241.2006.00646.x
2 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Flu Symptoms & Complications. CDC.gov. September 18, 2019.Sands BE, Cuffari C, Katz J, Kugathasan S, Onken J, Vitek C, Orenstein W.Guidelines for immunizations in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.Inflamm Bowel Dis.Sep 2004. 08 Oct 2007. doi:10.1097/00054725-200409000-00028Additional ReadingAlsahli M, Farrell RJ.Opportunistic Infections in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America.14 Oct 2005. doi:10.1093/ibd/izz147Melmed GY, Ippoliti AF, Papadakis KA, Tran TT, Birt JL, Lee SK, Frenck RW, Targan SR, Vasiliauskas EA.Patients with inflammatory bowel disease are at risk for vaccine-preventable illnesses.Am J Gastroenterol.Aug 2006. 08 Oct 2007. doi:10.1111/j.1572-0241.2006.00646.x
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Flu Symptoms & Complications. CDC.gov. September 18, 2019.Sands BE, Cuffari C, Katz J, Kugathasan S, Onken J, Vitek C, Orenstein W.Guidelines for immunizations in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.Inflamm Bowel Dis.Sep 2004. 08 Oct 2007. doi:10.1097/00054725-200409000-00028
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Flu Symptoms & Complications. CDC.gov. September 18, 2019.
Sands BE, Cuffari C, Katz J, Kugathasan S, Onken J, Vitek C, Orenstein W.Guidelines for immunizations in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.Inflamm Bowel Dis.Sep 2004. 08 Oct 2007. doi:10.1097/00054725-200409000-00028
Alsahli M, Farrell RJ.Opportunistic Infections in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America.14 Oct 2005. doi:10.1093/ibd/izz147Melmed GY, Ippoliti AF, Papadakis KA, Tran TT, Birt JL, Lee SK, Frenck RW, Targan SR, Vasiliauskas EA.Patients with inflammatory bowel disease are at risk for vaccine-preventable illnesses.Am J Gastroenterol.Aug 2006. 08 Oct 2007. doi:10.1111/j.1572-0241.2006.00646.x
Alsahli M, Farrell RJ.Opportunistic Infections in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America.14 Oct 2005. doi:10.1093/ibd/izz147
Melmed GY, Ippoliti AF, Papadakis KA, Tran TT, Birt JL, Lee SK, Frenck RW, Targan SR, Vasiliauskas EA.Patients with inflammatory bowel disease are at risk for vaccine-preventable illnesses.Am J Gastroenterol.Aug 2006. 08 Oct 2007. doi:10.1111/j.1572-0241.2006.00646.x
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
