Why the Flu Shot Is Strongly Recommended for People with Multiple Sclerosis

The subject of vaccinations has been a controversial issue among the MS community. “Some people are scared of vaccines in general because of a mixture of real risks and conspiracy theories. The flu vaccine is probably a good idea for most MS patients, as catching the flu can be disruptive to your life, and the flu vaccine does a fairly good job of helping you avoid the flu,” said Kantor. Whether or not you decide to get a flu shot, you should consider following a few simple health tips to help reduce your chances of catching or spreading the flu virus:

• Avoid being in contact with individuals who are sick
• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water
• Always cover your mouth when coughing or your nose when sneezing to prevent spreading germs
• Report any flu-like symptoms to your doctor as soon as possible (preferably within 48 hours)