Yes it is because your immune system is compromised and doesn't fight off bugs as well as it used to. Its not that your immune system is stronger it just targets the wrong things.

Thanks for replying. Do you know if the flu shot actually helps keep the colds at bay or is it not worth getting?

Some people can feel bad for a few days or flare due to the flu shot but it is relatively safe and it will protect you from getting the flu just like any other person. It is up to you whether you want to take a risk of flaring from it.

It actually depends if you are taking medications regarding getting sick easier. If you are on plaquenil then yes, it is a mild immuno suppressant and can cause you to get sick easier. If your not on meds though, it may be coincidental that you have gotten sick so much. Your not immuno compromised unless you are on immuno suppressants. I use to never get sick only on the plaquenil. Then, I flared and started taking stronger drugs and get anything within 10 feet of me. Some people actually get sick less when they have an auto immune disease because the immune system is always on over drive, per sey. Some people are fine with the flu shot. I am not. I always have an auto immune reaction to it so I dont get it. Best thing is to stay away from large crowds or anyone that is sick and use the hand santizer regularly (and obviously wash hands alot). If you have had the flu shot and was fine from it then you may want to get that. We can get sicker worse, flare from it, and longer to recover having an auto immune disease, even not on medications. Hope this helps.
Hugs

Thank you luvmyanimals for your reply. It did help. I'm not currently on medication. I was diagnosed a year ago almost exactly, but there was talk of me possibly having it when I was a lot younger, I just was never tested for it until I got super sick and they couldn't figure out what was wrong with me. It took them 4 years of constant testing to get the Lupus diagnosis.

Anyway... I have not had the flu shot before and I was considering getting it, I'm just scared of the idea of it possibly making me sicker. I noticed that since I started working with children, I started getting sick more often, even when they're not sick. I'm a nanny for 2 young girls and I have my own young daughter. I'm a single teenage dad and I have no help with her, so even if she's sick, I have to be around her. My daughter had Neonatal Lupus and now they're saying she may have Systematic Lupus (like I do). I had no idea that your children could end up with it, not that I knew I had it when she was conceived.

Anyway...I've digressed, again. I'm germophobic. I always wash my hands and use hand sanitizer. I think I've covered everything in your reply. Thanks for your reply, it definitely helped give me some answers.

The flu shot will only protect you from certain forms of the flu, not colds or viruses. This is actually one of the mildest flu seasons that we have had in a decade. I know it doesn't seem like it with the media coverage and swine flu, but if you check the stats it is a mild season and it is almost over. I would hold off on the shot, just my advice. You have to do what feels like the right decision for you. I'm not allowed any immunizations and that is just fine by me.

Melissa, I know being on immunosuppressants is what hinders our ability to fight off colds but Lupus itself can do it as well. Before I even got on Plaquenil I was getting worse colds than before. I also had a very bad kidney infection with no immunosuppressants in my system that took a long time to get over. I have never been that sick. Not to mention I get alot more sinus infections now than I used to, and URI. Here is some info where I got this from. It talks about Infections, viruses and Lupus.

http://www.lupus.org/webmodules/webarticlesnet/templates/?a=2254&z=527