El cáncer, la influenza y usted

Todas las personas de 6 meses de edad o más deben vacunarse contra la influenza cada temporada.

Living with cancer increases your risk for complications from influenza (“flu”). If you have cancer now or have had cancer in the past, you are at higher risk for complications from the seasonal flu or influenza, including hospitalization and death.

To help prepare you for the flu this season, CDC answers some of your most important questions about special considerations for cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers.

Los pacientes con cáncer y los sobrevivientes, ¿tienen más probabilidades de contraer influenza que otras personas?

While we don't know this specifically, we do know that cancer may increase your risk for complications from the flu. If you have cancer now or have had certain types of cancer in the past (such as lymphoma or leukemia), you are at high risk for complications from the seasonal flu or influenza, including hospitalization and death.

¿Deberían los pacientes con cáncer y quienes sobrevivieron recibir la vacuna inyectable?

Yes. People with cancer or a history of cancer should receive the seasonal flu shot. Las personas que viven con o cuidan de pacientes con cáncer y sobrevivientes también deben vacunarse contra la influenza estacional. Additionally, CDC recommends that everyone aged six months and older get a flu vaccine for the upcoming season.

Immune defenses become weaker with age, which places older people at greater risk of severe illness from flu. Also, aging decreases the body's ability to have a good immune response after getting a flu shot. Two vaccines are designed specifically for people 65 and older-

• La high-dose flu vaccine contains four times the amount of antigen as the regular flu shot.
• La adjuvanted flu vaccine is designed to help create a stronger immune response to vaccination.

Para obtener más información, consulte What You Should Know and Do this Flu Season If You Are 65 Years and Older.

What other vaccines should cancer patients and survivors be aware of?

Many people who are at increased risk for flu are also at increased risk for pneumococcal disease. People with cancer or other diseases that compromise your immune system should ask their health care providers if pneumococcal shots are needed.

Recursos destacados

Health care providers: Display our “Fight Back! Get Your Flu Shot” poster [PDF-1.5MB] in your office as a reminder for cancer patients.

Este fact sheet [PDF-426KB] answers questions about flu antiviral drugs.

This podcast discusses the importance of getting vaccinated against the flu every year.