The Flu Shot For Neuropathy Patients...Or Not?

Today's post from neuropathydr.com (see link below) is a topical one, at least if you live in the northern hemisphere. For the rest of the world, it will apply to you in six months time when your winter approaches. It concerns the potential dangers for neuropathy patients of the annual flu shot, that is often offered free to risk groups. There have been rumours about this for years but nobody seems to come up with definitive recommendations. This article looks at the issue for nerve damage patients but also doesn't really come out on one side or the other but at least it discusses whether you should take advantage of the flu shot, depending on the cause of your neuropathy. The chances of complications are what you should discuss with your doctor but only as long as your doctor has the right knowledge regarding neuropathy - otherwise, you may need to do extensive research of your own.
 

Flu Vaccine and Peripheral Neuropathy
by john | Nov 6, 2011 | 


It’s that time of year again…

For the average, healthy person getting a flu shot is a no-brainer.

Pre-flu season…

And everywhere you look are signs advertising “Flu Shots – Walk Ins Welcome” or “Get Your Flu Shot Today.”

For the average, healthy person getting a flu shot is a no-brainer.

After all, the flu accounts for 200,000 hospitalizations every year and up to 36,000 deaths. If you can take a shot and avoid that, why wouldn’t you?

But if you have peripheral neuropathy caused by

Diabetes
Cancer (and you’re undergoing chemotherapy)
Shingles
HIV/AIDS or some other immune system disorder
Exposure to toxins
Gluten sensitivity (also known as celiac disease)
Kidney or liver disease
Hereditary neuropathy

You may think that a flu shot isn’t for you.

HIV patients tend to be especially skeptical about receiving the vaccine.

If you have peripheral neuropathy caused by any of these underlying illnesses, you need to make an informed choice about whether or not to get a flu shot.

This is what you need to know.

The Flu Vaccine Will Not Actually Make You Sick

Contrary to urban myth, the flu vaccine will not make you sick. It works by stimulating the immune system to produce antibodies that actually fight the virus. It does not give you the flu.

You also need to know that there is no evidence that the flu shot will make your neuropathy symptoms worse if your neuropathy is caused by any of the underlying illnesses we listed above. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control strongly recommends that peripheral neuropathy patients with any of these illnesses receive a flu shot every year because they’re more prone to developing serious complications if they get the flu.

A Word of Caution for Guillain-Barre Syndrome or CIDP Patients

If your peripheral neuropathy is caused by Guillain-Barre Syndrome or chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), talk to your NeuropathyDR clinician or other medical professional before you receive the flu vaccine.

Because the vaccine keeps you from getting the flu by tricking your immune system into producing antibodies to fight it off, if you have neuropathy caused by Guillain-Barre Syndrome or CIDP, this immune stimulation may actually cause a relapse in patients with a history of either of these illnesses.

If you have had Guillain-Barre Syndrome and the resultant peripheral neuropathy in the past, it might be a good idea to wait at least one year after your symptoms are gone before you receive the flu shot.

If you have CIDP and your symptoms are still present, you might want to avoid the flu vaccine. Talk to your NeuropathyDR clinician or other medical professional and consider the chances of complications from the vaccine as opposed to the health risks of actually getting the flu. Take into account: 

Advanced age
Other chronic medical conditions
Possible relapse triggered by getting the flu virus

Who Should Get a Flu Shot?

The Centers for Disease Control recommends that you receive the flu shot every year if you fall into any of these groups: 

You’re six months to 19 years old
You’re 50 years of age or older
You have a chronic medical condition (lung, heart, liver or kidney disease, blood disorders, diabetes)
You live in a nursing home or other long term care facility
You live with or care for someone at high risk for complications from the flu (healthcare workers, people in your household (i.e., children too young to be vaccinated or people with chronic medical conditions)

In the end, the decision to get the flu shot or take a pass on it is up to you. Talk to your NeuropathyDR clinician or other medical professional before you make your decision and do what’s best for you.

For more information on coping with your peripheral neuropathy, get our Free E-Book and subscription to the Weekly Ezine “Beating Neuropathy” at http://neuropathydr.com/.

http://neuropathydr.com/flu-vaccine-and-peripheral-neuropathy/