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Do We Have Compromised Immune Systems?

foodiegurl

By foodiegurl
in Coping with Celiac Disease

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foodiegurl Collaborator
foodiegurl
Posted

For example, when "they" say people with compromised immune systems should get the flu shot...does that include us?

I always decline the flu shot, as I prefer the least amount of anything unnatural going into my body as possible, especially meds. But will I have to get it now, if my immune system is compromised?

Just curious,

Thanks!!

Anne

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Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted

The flu shot has been subject to much debate here in the past. You can do a search for the full discussion(s).

It was recommended for me and I had no ill effects from the shot. Although, people with egg allergies or sensitivities, should not take the shot as suggested.

GFLisa Newbie
GFLisa
Posted

I don't get it, but that's because I am allergic to eggs. However, my kids don't get it either. I don't believe it is necessary and I do not want junk injected into their bodies. I do selectively and delay vaccinations for them.

foodiegurl Collaborator
foodiegurl
Posted
  • Author

I guess I should reword this, I was just using the flu shot as an example. i just mean, that by having celiac, does it mean that we generally have weaker immune systems to fight things off? Or if we stick to the gluten-free way of life, we are just like every other regular person?

psawyer Proficient
psawyer
Posted

The autoimmune nature of celiac disease means the the immune system is acting outside expected patterns.

I would not necessarily say that it indicates a weakened immune system. You might argue that it indicates an over-active immune system.

Lisa16 Collaborator
Lisa16
Posted

Our city water supply got contaminated with e coli. a few years ago. The contamination was mild (if there is such a thing) and tended to affect people in the category you are talking about (elderly, small children and people with compromised immunity). A warning was issues fairly late.

Even so, not many people got sick enough to go into the hospital. At the time I was undiagnosed, but I got sick as a dog (before the warning). I always thought it was because my system was compromised. But I was undiagnosed at the time. Maybe that makes a difference?

tarnalberry Community Regular
tarnalberry
Posted

technically, active autoimmune conditions put you in the category of "at risk". because your immune system is acting abnormally, and predominantly too busy attacking your own body to be bothered fighting off infectious diseases. but, celiac disease is the only autoimmune disease that we can "cure", in so far as stopping the autoimmune reaction - by remaining strictly gluten free. if you remain strictly gluten free, you're technically not in the higher risk population, because your immune system is functioning normally again.

of course, there are big assumptions there that celiac was caught early enough that it didn't cause any long term changes to immune system functioning or other organ systems....

it's not a black and white sort of thing, and you have to kind of gauge it for yourself. I get the flu shot because I also have asthma, and I am VERY prone to respiratory infections. but that puts me in the "high risk" group for it's own reason. ;)

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2boysmama Apprentice
2boysmama
Posted

The way I look at it, FWIW, isn't that my immune system is weakened - but rather highly sensitive. So I keep things like immunizations to a minimum because of all the garbage in them. I don't immunize my youngest, and none of us gets the flu shot. I prefer my immune system be allowed to do the job it's supposed to do - fight off illness, rather than trying to manipulate it. I believe that's what weakens it.

celiac-mommy Collaborator
celiac-mommy
Posted

Also, FWIW, we all get the flu shot mainly because I work in a hospital, God knows what I bring home :huh: I have found, however, that I had a very sickly little son before his diagnosis, and since going gluten-free, he hardly even gets the sniffles. My dd has an immune system like a rock and always has.

mushroom Proficient
mushroom
Posted

I know that my immune system was severely dysfunctional when eating gluten, with constant respiratory infecctions among other things. Since gluten free I have also been free of infection. I have always had the flu shot because I have COPD, and now this year I just got it again (our flu seeason is coming on) because I am taking Humira for my PsA, which suppresses the immune system. My rheumy said it does not make it more likely that I will catch something, but that if I do catch something it will be harder to knock it back :(

p.s. Sorry about double post after editing for errors)

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