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Flu Vaccine increases risk for neurological disorder

It is important to be aware of the risks involved when considering taking any drug or vaccine or putting a drug or vaccine into a young ones body. A new study has revealed that the flu vaccine is associated with an increased risk of developing a debilitating neurological disorder known as Guillain-Barré syndrome.

By Michael Dorausch, D.C.
planetc1.com news staff

It is important to be aware of the risks involved when considering taking any drug or vaccine or putting a drug or vaccine into a young ones body. A new study has revealed that the flu vaccine is associated with an increased risk of developing a debilitating neurological disorder known as Guillain-Barré syndrome.

The debilitating nerve destroying syndrome affects about one in 100,000 people each year. It results from the body’s immune system attacking parts of the nervous system, causing weakness or tingling that can eventually lead to paralysis. Previous research had linked Guillain-Barré syndrome to the flu vaccine, but researchers continue to look for more connections between debilitating conditions and flu vaccines.

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Guillain-Barré (ghee-yan bah-ray) syndrome is a disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks part of the peripheral nervous system. The first symptoms of this disorder include varying degrees of weakness or tingling sensations in the legs. In many instances the weakness and abnormal sensations spread to the arms and upper body. These symptoms can increase in intensity until certain muscles cannot be used at all and, when severe, the patient is almost totally paralyzed.

The research comes from the University of Toronto. Researchers studied residents in Ontario, where a flu vaccine immunization program was started in 2000. All Ontario residents 6 months or older received a FREE flu vaccine. Researchers looked into cases of hospitalization for Guillain-Barré syndrome from 1993 to 2004. They then researched who had received a flu vaccine and compared the individuals risk for the syndrome within two to seven weeks after vaccination up to twenty to forty-three weeks later. Researchers also compared the number of Guillain-Barré cases before and after the immunization program began in 2000.

Researchers discovered that Ontario residents were more likely to be hospitalized for Guillain-Barré syndrome in the two to seven weeks after being vaccinated than at forty-three weeks. It showed a small but increased risk for the disease after vaccination.

There has been a lot of discussion whether the flu vaccine is even effective in preventing the flu. Add to that, the risk of developing disabling nerve disorders, mercury toxicity (from shots containing thimerosal), as well as other side effects, and you may wonder we one would even subject themselves to the shot. One thing is for sure, the more people that get the flu shot, the more data researchers will have to determine what disorders and conditions are caused by the shot.

Other Flu Vaccine Related Articles…

Deaths After Flu Vaccine Halt Vaccination Program
Poor evidence to support flu vaccine effectiveness
Autism, mercury poisoning, thimerosal and the flu vaccine
Mercury in your child’s flu vaccine

planetc1.com-news @ 5:32 am | Article ID: 1163608370

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