Neuropathy And The Flu Jab

Today's post comes from steveollis.dyndns.org (see link below) and talks about something already mentioned last year on the blog - the flu vaccine. This can be controversial for HIV patients for various reasons, not least of which is the potential for interfering with other medications but most experts think that it's better to go ahead with the annual flu jab because the possible outcomes of not doing it could be worse for the patient. However, if you also have neuropathy; because the flu injection is designed to stimulate the immune system into fighting off the flu virus, it can also affect your nervous system. If you're in any doubt, consult your doctor about it.

 

Flu Vaccine And Peripheral Neuropathy

Posted by Admin Sept.20th 2012

It’s that time of year again: 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 neuropathy 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 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 clinician or other medical professional before you make your decision and do what’s best for you.

http://steveollis.dyndns.org/2012/09/20/flu-vaccine-and-peripheral-neuropathy/