(29 April 2009, updated 30 April, 5 May, 18 August; latest update 17 Nov 2009)

Update resulting from Help Line enquiries (Nov 2009)

Many patients have enquired about whether they should receive vaccine for swine flu. Whilst swine flu may be mild for many people, it is also commonly associated with features of nausea and vomiting, and this carries risk for those patients who are on Hydrocortisone or other steroid replacement therapy as there is the potential for an adrenal crisis.
Although patients with pituitary disease are not specifically identified as a group for whom swine flu vaccination should be given, those patients who are taking hydrocortisone or other steroid replacement therapy are recommended to discuss their situation with their GP, with a view to receiving the vaccine.

Swine flu information sheet for patients taking hydrocortisone - Society for Endocrinolgy

The Society for Endocrinology has issued a useful information sheet for patients taking hydrocortisone. The sheet contains practical advice and useful contact telephone numbers. To download a copy of the information sheet, please click here:        

  swine flu info sheet.pdf (135 KB)

There is a good deal of media coverage about swine flu, and if patients taking hydrocortisone are concerned, our medical committee's advice is:

• To treat Swine Flu like any other intercurrent illness, such as influenza, vomiting, etc.
• If you become symptomatic you should adjust your hydrocortisone dosage as instructed by your Endocrinologist.
• You should ensure you are carrying a hydrocortisone injection pack if travelling to remote places.
• There is currently no vaccine for Swine Flu, therefore there is no reason to get a flu jab unless this is already scheduled.

An important note:  A pre-emptive increase in your steroids could possibly be a bad thing due to mild suppression of the immune system.  The increased dose of hydrocortisone is ONLY to help the body's response once you have an infection.

If you are symptomatic of Swine Flu, the NHS is asking that you not go to your GP or hospital.  Instead, check your symptoms at www.nhs.uk or phone the Swine Flu Information Line on 0800 1 513 513 to hear the latest advice. 

For pituitary patients, if you have symptoms of flu, also call your endocrinologist.

Advice for stopping the spread of Swine Flu is to keep clean tissues with you, if you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a clean tissue.  After you use the tissue once, bin it and then wash your hands with soap and hot water or sanitiser gel.  Indeed, washing your hands regularly is a good idea generally.

The World Health Organisation has identified the UK as having one of the best plans for pandemic in the world.  The NHS have a good stockpile of antiviral drugs and are well-prepared for this or any other situation that may occur.

If you have further queries, please e-mail our helpline at helpline@pituitary.org.uk or phone us on 0845 450 0375 (Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)