Flu and People With Chronic Kidney Disease

People with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at high risk of developing serious flu complications, which can result in hospitalization and even death. This is because CKD weakens immune response, which can make the immune system less able to fight infections. People with CKD at any stage, people who have had a kidney transplant, and people who are undergoing dialysis treatment are all at increased risk of severe illness from flu.

A Flu Vaccine is the Best Protection Against Flu

Flu vaccination is especially important for people with CKD because they are at high risk of developing serious flu complications. Flu vaccines are updated each season as needed to keep up with changing viruses. Immunity lessens over time, so vaccination every year is recommended for the best possible protection against flu. A flu vaccine protects against the flu viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season. This season’s flu vaccine has been updated from last season’s vaccine to better match circulating viruses. Immunity from vaccination sets in after about two weeks.

• Flu vaccination has been shown to reduce the risk of getting sick with flu or reduce the severity of illness if a person does get sick. Some studies show that vaccinated people have lower risk of having a serious flu outcome like requiring a stay in the hospital or even being admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).
• Among people with CKD, flu vaccination has been associated with reduced hospitalizations. See “What are the benefits of flu vaccination?” for more information.

CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine each year by the end of October.

Flu Vaccines for People With CKD

• Injectable influenza vaccines (flu shots) are recommended for use in people with CKD and other health conditions. The flu shot has a long, established safety record in people with CKD.
• The live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV), also known as the nasal spray vaccine, is not recommended for people with some kinds of chronic health conditions because the safety and effectiveness of this vaccine in people with those conditions has not been established. The nasal spray vaccine is not recommended for people with CKD.

Your doctor or other health care professional can answer any questions you might have about the flu vaccine.

Get pneumococcal vaccines.

• Pneumococcal pneumonia is an example of a serious flu-related complication that can cause death.
• People who have CKD should also be up to date with pneumococcal vaccination to protect against pneumococcal disease, such as pneumonia, meningitis (swelling of the brain due to infection), and blood infections.
• You can get either Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine or Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (but not both) when you get the flu vaccine.
• Talk to your doctor to find out which pneumococcal vaccines are recommended for you.

Also, talk with your doctor about other vaccines, including the hepatitis B vaccine, you may need if you have CKD.

Other Preventive Actions for People With CKD

Like everyone else, in addition to getting a flu shot, people with CKD should take everyday preventive actions, including avoiding people who are sick, covering coughs, and washing hands often.

Specific Health Actions for People With CKD

• Maintain a two-week supply of your regular medications during flu season.
• Do not stop taking your regular medications without first consulting your doctor, especially if you become sick with flu or another respiratory infection.

Symptoms and Treatment

If you get flu symptoms, call your doctor right away. There are antiviral drugs that can treat flu illness and may prevent serious flu complications. CDC recommends flu treatment as soon as possible for people who have flu infection or suspected flu infection and who are at high risk of serious flu complications, such as people with CKD.

Symptoms

Flu symptoms can include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Some people may also have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children. People may be infected with flu and have respiratory symptoms without a fever.

Treatment

• Treatment should begin as soon as possible because antiviral drug treatment works best when started early (within 48 hours after symptoms start).
• Antiviral drugs require a prescription from a doctor. These medicines fight against flu by keeping flu viruses from making more viruses in your body.
• Antiviral drugs can make your flu illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious health problems that can result from flu illness.
• There are four FDA-approved flu antiviral drugs recommended by CDC this season that can be used to treat flu.

When to Seek Emergency Medical Care

Anyone experiencing any of the following emergency warning signs of flu sickness, including people with CKD, should seek medical attention right away.