Quote:
Originally Posted by graciegirl
Epstein-Barre is frequently said to be the cause of Mononucleosis and chronic fatique syndrome, and will show up on blood tests if you were previously infected. Guillian-Barre' is the cause of a certain form of paralysis that happens much more rarely.
What about the flu vaccine would connect with Guillian-Barre'? The cause of Guillian Barre' hasn't been indentified if I remember correctly.
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Gracie, you are correct.I should have been a bit more specific. People who are not at high risk for flu should not be vaccinated within 6 weeks of a GBS episode. The following is from the Centers for Disease Control:
The incidence of GBS among the general population is low, but persons with a history of GBS have a substantially greater likelihood of subsequently experiencing GBS than persons without such a history . Thus, the likelihood of coincidentally experiencing GBS after influenza vaccination is expected to be greater among persons with a history of GBS than among persons with no history of this syndrome. Whether influenza vaccination specifically might increase the risk for recurrence of GBS is unknown. Among 311 patients with GBS who responded to a survey, 11 (4%) reported some worsening of symptoms after influenza vaccination; however, some of these patients had received other vaccines at the same time, and recurring symptoms were generally mild (317). However, as a precaution, persons who are not at high risk for severe influenza complications and who are known to have experienced GBS within 6 weeks of receipt of an influenza vaccine generally should not be vaccinated. As an alternative, physicians might consider using influenza antiviral chemoprophylaxis for these persons. Although data are limited, the established benefits of influenza vaccination might outweigh the risks for many persons who have a history of GBS and who also are at high risk for severe complications from influenza.