Hi Hmkim305,
Provided you have no other medical conditions that would
contraindicate your taking cold/flu medicine, it is safe to take. Over
the counter, or even prescription medication will not affect a flu
shot in the least. If you have high blood pressure, be sure to ask
your doctor which cold medicine is best for you. Coricidin products
are often recommended for patients with high blood pressure, since
they contain no ingredients that could further elevate your
hypertension.
?In fact, the American Heart Association recognizes that
decongestants have been reported to increase blood pressure and even
interfere with blood pressure medications.
Coricidin HBP® products are specially formulated for people who have
high blood pressure. They provide safe and effective cough, cold and
flu relief?and they're decongestant-free, so they won't raise your
blood pressure. Coricidin HBP® offers the following line of products
to meet hypertension sufferers' specific cold and flu needs.?
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=580
Good advice from the FDA:
?To feel better while you are sick:
? Drink plenty of fluids.
? Get plenty of rest.
? Use a humidifier?an electric device that puts water into the air.
? Take a cough and cold medicine you buy without a prescription. It may help.
Check Page 2 of this document for advice on selecting the right
medicine for your symptoms!
http://www.fda.gov/opacom/lowlit/clds&flu.pdf
Vaccines work by stimulating the body to produce antibodies to some
strains of flu viruses. Cold medicines do not hinder this process.
?Another strategy is to deactivate a virus by killing it with a
chemical. Now the virus cannot reproduce at all, yet the presence of
the dead virus in the body still generates a response by B-cells,
producing antibodies and a memory record. However, as safe as this
method is for people with weakened immune systems, its drawback is
that it takes several vaccines to achieve long-lasting immunity.
Vaccines of this type include polio, influenza, hepatitis A, and
rabies.?
Many people get the flu shot every year, which contains dead
influenza viruses, while the nasal-spray flu vaccine contains live,
weakened viruses. The nasal spray is normally given to healthy
individuals between age 5 and 49. The flu shot can be administered to
anyone 6 months or older, regardless of health. Each flu vaccine
contains 3 different flu viruses, prevalent that year.
http://www.wisegeek.com/how-do-vaccines-work.htm
?Side Effects and Adverse Reactions to Flu Shots
The flu vaccine is made from a virus that is no longer active.
Therefore, no one can catch the flu from a flu shot.
Less than one out of three people will develop soreness around the
injection site for one or two days.
Fever, aches and pains are not common and more severe reactions are rare.
A recent American Lung Association study has proven that the flu
shot does not increase asthma attacks.?
http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=35868
?Flu vaccines are made with bits of different strains of the 'flu
virus. Each year the World Health Organisation monitors the spread of
'flu viruses worldwide and decides which strains need to be in the
vaccine. After it is injected into your body, your immune system makes
antibodies to the different 'flu viruses. When you are infected by the
real or similar viruses your body is able to quickly recognise them
and get rid of them. (See the immune system section and the
vaccination section of this site for more information).
The NHS Direct website and the Department of Health website explain
in more detail the 'flu vaccination campaign. The 'flu vaccine can be
70-80% effective if there is a good match between the strains in the
vaccine and the strains of 'flu causing the epidemic. (See the Public
Health Laboratory Service information). 'Flu vaccines cannot give you
'flu because they don't contain any live 'flu viruses that could cause
infection.?
http://www.neli.org.uk/ARFAQs.nsf/c142977c99209f3680256c91003fdf4a/3a5476f101803bf580256cae00472471?OpenDocument
So, as long as you are healthy and have taken over the counter
cold/flu medicines, feel free to take them now. Select them wisely and
take as directed.
If any part of this answer is unclear, please request an Answer
Clarification, and allow me to respond, before your rate this answer.
Speedy recovery!
Regards, Crabcakes
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