Friday Q&A: COVID, flu & RSV

🦠 Answering your questions about viruses & vaccines 🦠

ICYMI

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As always, question #1 (about Advil’s effect on vaccine effectiveness) is free for everyone; questions #2-4 (about getting more than one infection; the duration of vaccine protection; and vaccine timing) are for paid subscribers only.

Click here to submit your questions (about anything) for future Q&A posts!

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are entirely my own. They do not reflect those of my employer, nor are they a substitute for advice from your personal physician.

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QUESTION #1

Is it true that taking Advil or another anti-inflammatory medicine for side effects from a vaccine blunts the effect of the shot?

-Jane

Dear Jane,

Not at far as we know. While there is some data to suggest that prophylactic (i.e. preventative) use of Acetaminophen (aka Tylenol) might blunt vaccine effectiveness in children, I tell my (adult) patients that it is perfectly appropriate to take over-the-counter medicines like Ibuprofen, Motrin, or Aleve to treat (not prevent) common vaccine side effects like a sore arm, pain or swelling at the injection site, and body aches (assuming you don‘t have any contraindications to these medications such as a history of gastrointestinal bleeding). 

The kinds of medications that can significantly blunt the effect of a vaccine are those that alter the immune system, for example steroids like Prednisone for certain inflammatory or autoimmune conditions. While these medications don’t render vaccines completely ineffective, you should be sure to talk with your doctor if you are taking immunosuppressants to discuss timing your vaccine and/or adjusting your medication dose.

I hope that helps!

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QUESTION #2

Is it possible for people to contract Covid, flu and RSV together? And if so, how bad will that be?
-Paul

Dear Paul,