Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsMedication and Immune System EffectsFlu ComplicationsHow to Avoid the FluIf You Get the FluWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Medication and Immune System Effects
Flu Complications
How to Avoid the Flu
If You Get the Flu
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Frequently Asked Questions
Psoriatic arthritisis a chronic autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in the joints. Psoriatic arthritis occurs alongside a skin condition called psoriasis which causes itchy red patches of skin. Roughly one-third of people withpsoriasisdevelop psoriatic arthritis.
Psoriatic arthritis occurs due to a faulty immune response, in which the immune system wrongly attacks the joints and skin. The exact cause of psoriatic arthritis is unknown, but scientists believe that a combination of genetic and environmental factors are at play.
People with psoriatic arthritis are at increased risk during flu season. People with the condition often take certain medications that affect their immune system, which can make them more vulnerable to influenza. The flu can also cause flares of psoriatic arthritis symptoms.
Learn more about psoriatic arthritis and the flu.
The Genetics of Psoriatic Arthritis and Psoriasis
People with psoriatic arthritis often take a variety of medications to manage their condition, and some of these medications can make them more vulnerable to infections, including influenza.
Biologicsare a type of drug that is sometimes prescribed to treat psoriatic arthritis. These drugs lower inflammation in the body to treat psoriatic arthritis symptoms, but they also suppress the immune system.
Using biologics weakens the body’s immune system and makes it harder for the body to fight off germs. During flu season, people taking biologics are at an increased risk of being infected with the influenza virus. If someone with psoriatic arthritis gets influenza, they might have to stop taking their medications until they get better.
Getting sick with the flu or another illness can also trigger a flare-up of psoriatic arthritis symptoms.
Symptoms of Psoriatic Arthritis
People with psoriatic arthritis are also at a greater risk of flu-related complications if they get the virus because they have a suppressed immune system.
Complications of the flu that people with psoriatic arthritis might be more likely to develop include:
People with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are also at a higher risk of getting other respiratory infections and flu-relatedpneumonia.
What to Know About Psoriatic Arthritis and COVID-19
There are several ways that people with psoriatic arthritis can protect themselves and reduce their chances of getting sick during flu season.
Wash Your Hands Frequently
Frequent, proper handwashing can remove germs and help keep them from spreading. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) adviseswashing your handswith soap and water.
The steps of proper handwashing are:
If you are in a situation where you cannot wash your hands with soap and water,using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is OK.
What Is the Best Way to Pop a Pimple?
Get a Flu Shot
Getting a flu shot every year will help protect you against influenza, as well as reduce the risk of flu-related complications if you do get sick.
People taking biologics and immunosuppressive medications can still get the flu shot, but it is recommended that they do not get a live flu vaccine in the form of a nasal spray (which should not be given to people who are immunocompromised).
The flu vaccinewill not give you the flu. Research has also found that flu shots do not appear to directly trigger flares.If you are worried about having a flare-up after getting a vaccine, talk to your doctor.
The Link Between Psoriatic Arthritis and Breathing Problems
Other Flu-Prevention Tips
Other steps you can take to avoid becoming infected with influenza include:
People with psoriatic arthritis who get influenza should speak with their doctor about the best way to manage their medications while they are sick.
In most cases, people with psoriatic arthritis who have the flu will need to stop taking their biologics while they are recovering from influenza.
A doctor can prescribe antiviral medications to treat flu illness. It is important that these drugs be started as soon as possible when a person who is immunocompromised—including someone with psoriatic arthritis—gets the flu.
People with psoriatic arthritis should contact their doctor if they have flu-like symptoms. Their doctor will let them know if they should stop taking their regular medications, and they may prescribe antivirals to help them get better.
Complications of Psoriatic Arthritis
Summary
People living with psoriatic arthritis are at increased risk of getting influenza. They are also at risk for complications related to the flu, including pneumonia. Taking steps like regular handwashing and getting the flu shot will lower the risk of infection and serious flu illness.
A Word From Verywell
If you have psoriatic arthritis, you are at ahigher risk of getting the flu and having flu-related complications. There are steps that you can take to protect yourself, such as getting a flu shot.
If you do have flu-like symptoms, it’s important to tell your doctor right away. If you do have the flu, you might need to stop taking your medications until you get better. Your doctor might be able to prescribe antivirals to help you get better sooner.
Yes. The symptoms of psoriatic arthritis vary, but some people may run a low-grade fever—particularly when they are having a flare.However, a fever can also be a sign of an infection or illness, such as the flu.If you have a fever andother symptoms(such as a cough or a sore throat) or you have been around someone who is sick, let your doctor know.
Yes. The symptoms of psoriatic arthritis vary, but some people may run a low-grade fever—particularly when they are having a flare.However, a fever can also be a sign of an infection or illness, such as the flu.
If you have a fever andother symptoms(such as a cough or a sore throat) or you have been around someone who is sick, let your doctor know.
It can. Psoriatic arthritis can cause systemic symptoms like fever, body aches, headaches, and fatigue that are reminiscent of influenza. Psoriatic arthritis does not cause other flu symptoms, such as a sore throat, runny nose, cough, and congestion.
8 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.Arthritis Foundation.Psoriatic arthritis.National Psoriasis Foundation.Protect yourself from a nasty flu season.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Arthritis frequently asked questions.National Psoriasis Foundation.Flu shot lags among people with psoriasis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Handwashing.Nakafero G, Grainge MJ, Myles PR, et al.Association between inactivated influenza vaccine and primary care consultations for autoimmune rheumatic disease flares: a self-controlled case series study using data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink.Ann Rheum Dis. 2019;78(8):1122-1126.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Healthy habits to prevent flu.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treating flu with antiviral drugs.
8 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.Arthritis Foundation.Psoriatic arthritis.National Psoriasis Foundation.Protect yourself from a nasty flu season.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Arthritis frequently asked questions.National Psoriasis Foundation.Flu shot lags among people with psoriasis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Handwashing.Nakafero G, Grainge MJ, Myles PR, et al.Association between inactivated influenza vaccine and primary care consultations for autoimmune rheumatic disease flares: a self-controlled case series study using data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink.Ann Rheum Dis. 2019;78(8):1122-1126.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Healthy habits to prevent flu.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treating flu with antiviral drugs.
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.
Arthritis Foundation.Psoriatic arthritis.National Psoriasis Foundation.Protect yourself from a nasty flu season.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Arthritis frequently asked questions.National Psoriasis Foundation.Flu shot lags among people with psoriasis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Handwashing.Nakafero G, Grainge MJ, Myles PR, et al.Association between inactivated influenza vaccine and primary care consultations for autoimmune rheumatic disease flares: a self-controlled case series study using data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink.Ann Rheum Dis. 2019;78(8):1122-1126.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Healthy habits to prevent flu.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treating flu with antiviral drugs.
Arthritis Foundation.Psoriatic arthritis.
National Psoriasis Foundation.Protect yourself from a nasty flu season.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Arthritis frequently asked questions.
National Psoriasis Foundation.Flu shot lags among people with psoriasis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Handwashing.
Nakafero G, Grainge MJ, Myles PR, et al.Association between inactivated influenza vaccine and primary care consultations for autoimmune rheumatic disease flares: a self-controlled case series study using data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink.Ann Rheum Dis. 2019;78(8):1122-1126.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Healthy habits to prevent flu.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treating flu with antiviral drugs.
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