Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) significantly impairs the body’s ability to combat infections like influenza. The kidneys play a crucial role in filtering waste and maintaining overall health; when their function declines, it leads to a weakened immune system, making individuals more susceptible to infections.
Impact on the Immune System
CKD disrupts various components of the immune system:
- B Cells: Research indicates that advanced kidney disease compromises the survival of B cells, which are essential for producing antibodies to fight infections. This reduction hampers the body’s ability to mount an effective response to viruses like influenza. Futurity
- General Immune Dysfunction: CKD patients experience defects in complement activation, neutrophil function, and T-cell activities, all of which contribute to a diminished immune response. PMC
Increased Risk of Severe Flu Complications
Due to immune suppression, individuals with CKD are at a higher risk of severe flu-related complications, including hospitalization and mortality. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasizes that CKD weakens the immune system, making it harder to fight off infections like the flu. CDC
Vaccination Recommendations
Annual influenza vaccination is strongly recommended for CKD patients to mitigate these risks. The National Kidney Foundation advises that the flu shot can offer the best protection from this severe disease. However, it’s important to note that the nasal spray vaccine is not recommended for those with advanced stages of kidney disease or who have a kidney transplant because it is only available as a live, weakened vaccine. National Kidney Foundation
Conclusion
CKD compromises the immune system’s ability to respond effectively to influenza, increasing the risk of severe complications. Annual flu vaccination and adherence to preventive measures are essential steps for individuals with CKD to protect themselves during flu season.
References:
- Flu and People with Chronic Kidney Disease | Influenza (Flu) – CDC
- Flu Season is Back. How People with Kidney Disease Can Prepare
- The Seasonal Flu and CKD Patients – Durham Nephrology
- What Kidney Patients Need to Know this Flu Season – AAKP
- Immunogenicity of trivalent influenza vaccines in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis
Disclaimer
The watching, interacting, and participation of any kind with anything on this page does not constitute or initiate a doctor-patient relationship with Dr. Farrah™. None of the statements here have been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The products of Dr. Farrah™ are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information being provided should only be considered for education and entertainment purposes only. If you feel that anything you see or hear may be of value to you on this page or on any other medium of any kind associated with, showing, or quoting anything relating to Dr. Farrah™ in any way at any time, you are encouraged to and agree to consult with a licensed healthcare professional in your area to discuss it. If you feel that you’re having a healthcare emergency, seek medical attention immediately. The views expressed here are simply either the views and opinions of Dr. Farrah™ or others appearing and are protected under the first amendment.
Dr. Farrah™ is a highly experienced Licensed Medical Doctor certified in evidence-based clinical nutrition, not some enthusiast, formulator, or medium promoting the wild and unrestrained use of nutrition products for health issues without clinical experience and scientific evidence of therapeutic benefit. Dr. Farrah™ has personally and keenly studied everything she recommends, and more importantly, she’s closely observed the reactions and results in a clinical setting countless times over the course of her career involving the treatment of over 150,000 patients.
Dr. Farrah™ promotes evidence-based natural approaches to health, which means integrating her individual scientific and clinical expertise with the best available external clinical evidence from systematic research. By individual clinical expertise, I refer to the proficiency and judgment that individual clinicians acquire through clinical experience and clinical practice.
Dr. Farrah™ does not make any representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy, applicability, fitness, or completeness of any multimedia content provided. Dr. Farrah™ does not warrant the performance, effectiveness, or applicability of any sites listed, linked, or referenced to, in, or by any multimedia content.
To be clear, the multimedia content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or seen in any website, video, image, or media of any kind. Dr. Farrah™ hereby disclaims any and all liability to any party for any direct, indirect, implied, punitive, special, incidental, or other consequential damages arising directly or indirectly from any use of the content, which is provided as is, and without warranties.