Many people with UC get the flu each year. In one study of more than 1.6 million people with IBD, the flu was the most common vaccine-preventable disease that caused a serious infection.
The good news is, you have plenty of options for preventing and treating a nasty cold or flu when you have UC. Here are seven key facts to know.
1. You Can Prevent Colds and Flu With Frequent Handwashing
You can use hand sanitizer in a pinch, but it doesn’t work on all germs and isn’t as effective on greasy or visibly soiled hands. Dr. Dam recommends wearing a mask in crowded places, cleaning surfaces like phones and keyboards often, and supporting your immune system with good nutrition and sleep.
2. If You Have Cold or Flu Symptoms, Tell Your Gastroenterologist Immediately
- Fever
- Chills
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Body aches
- Headaches
- Feeling exhausted
Colds can cause similar symptoms, but symptoms are typically milder and have a lower risk of complications than the flu.
“I advise my patients to keep me informed if they develop a viral infection,” says Dr. Rahman. With either illness, by getting help early, you can prevent complications and sometimes treat the virus itself.
3. Your Gastroenterologist May Tell You to Pause Your Medications
“In some cases, we may need to temporarily hold their immunosuppressive medications, particularly during active infection, hospitalization, or complications from bacterial superinfection,” says Rahman.
4. You May Have a Higher Risk of Cold and Flu Complications
Because UC causes the immune system to malfunction, and its treatment involves lowering your ability to fight infections, a virus can do more damage to your body if you have the condition. “Patients with UC are at increased risk of hospitalization from influenza because of their immunocompromised and immune-dysregulated state,” says Rahman.
Adults with UC ages 65 and older have an even higher complication risk because of their age, especially from the flu, says Dr. Gaidos.
5. You Need a Flu Shot Every Year — but Not the Nasal Spray
Some flu vaccines, like the nasal spray, contain live influenza virus and aren’t the best choice for people with UC. “UC patients, particularly those who are immune-suppressed, should receive the flu shot, which contains portions of a combination of flu viruses that are not alive,” says Gaidos.
You need a flu shot every year because it loses its effectiveness over time. The influenza viruses floating around your community also change every year, and infectious disease experts constantly update the vaccine to fight the flu as it mutates. So, by getting vaccinated each year (ideally in September), you’ll have the best chance of preventing flu and its complications.
6. Cold and Flu May Not Cause UC Flares, but You Should Still Take Extra Care
Some people stop taking their UC medications while they are sick with a cold or flu, but it’s vital to check with your provider before doing this, says Gaidos. “[Stopping your medications] is usually unnecessary and can result in an exacerbation of [UC] symptoms.”
If you have a cold or flu, Dam recommends taking it easy and getting plenty of rest. “Stay hydrated with water, broth, or tea, and eat easy-to-digest foods so your gut isn’t stressed,” says Dam.
7. Both Antiviral Meds and Home Remedies Can Improve Cold and Flu Symptoms
“I recommend drinking plenty of liquids, getting rest, and then addressing other symptoms (cough, congestion, sore throat) with over-the-counter cold and flu therapies,” says Gaidos. She also suggests hot tea with honey to help relieve a sore throat.
Dam’s go-to home remedies for cold and flu with UC are to drink warm fluids for comfort, use a humidifier for easier breathing, and eat foods gentle on the stomach, like rice, bananas, applesauce, and toast. Avoid nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen unless your doctor says it’s okay, because they can irritate the gut, says Dam. “Let your body rest — healing takes energy,” he says.
The Takeaway
- When you have ulcerative colitis, you carry a higher risk of catching a cold or the flu and developing complications from them.
- You can help prevent cold and flu by washing your hands often, wearing a mask in crowds, avoiding people who you know are sick, and getting a flu vaccine every year.
- If you have a cold or the flu, you may be treated with antiviral medication, but you can also ease symptoms with home remedies like a humidifier, warm fluids, and plenty of rest.
Read the full article here
