As we enter October and move towards winter, many individuals will receive the flu shot in preparation for flu season. The flu shot is given to reduce the risk of receiving the influenza virus, in addition to reducing the severity of its symptoms. While it has been shown to do this, there are also a number of adverse reactions our bodies may experience as a result of this vaccination. Common reactions to the flu shot include Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP), and Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA). While the severity of these injuries can range from mild to severe, it is important to know that if you have suffered from these injuries as a result of the flu shot, you can be compensated from the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.
What is Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)?
Guillain-Barre syndrome(GBS) is a rare disorder in which your body’s immune system attacks your nerves. Weakness and tingling in your extremities are usually the first symptoms. These sensations often begin in the legs and can quickly spread to the arms and upper body, and can be so intense that the muscles are almost entirely paralyzed. In its most severe form GBS is a medical emergency.
GBS usually occurs a few days or weeks after the patient has received the flu shot, and is generally sudden in symptomatic progression. While most people with the condition must be hospitalized to receive treatment, most people also recover from GBS, though some may experience lingering effects from it, such as weakness, numbness, or fatigue throughout the rest of their life.
What is Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy(CIDP)?
Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) is also a rare disorder with similar symptoms as GBS, unlike GBS, CIDP occurs progressively. It occurs when there is inflammation of nerve roots and peripheral nerves, this inflammation leads to the destruction of the fatty protective covering over the nerves, which in turn leads to weakness, paralysis, or impairment of motor functions, due to the loss of nerve fibers as the speed of the nerve signals are affected.
What is a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA)?
SIRVA manifests as shoulder pain and limited range of motion occurring after intramuscular vaccine administration in the upper arm. These symptoms are thought to occur because of unintended injection of vaccine antigen or trauma from the needle into and around the shoulder resulting in an inflammatory reaction. SIRVA is caused by an injury to the musculoskeletal structures of the shoulder (e.g. tendons, ligaments, etc).
While SIRVA is not an official medical diagnosis it serves to cover a variety of injuries including impingement syndrome, tendonitis, and other conditions of the shoulder. A person with SIRVA would experience excruciating pain and limitation of activities within days following the vaccination. SIRVA is not caused by the vaccination but rather the injection of the vaccine. Many individuals with SIRVA injuries will wait 6-8 weeks after receiving the vaccination to report their injury to their doctor. Their thought is that the pain will eventually go away. It is important that if your pain from your vaccine has not subsided in a couple days, you should see your doctor and document the pain.
Do you qualify for compensation in the VICP?
If you or a loved one has developed GBS, CIDP, or SIRVA following vaccination, please contact Krueger and Hernandez, S C for a no cost, no obligation consultation. We have been representing people injured from adverse reactions to vaccines since shortly after the VICP was established, including six figure settlements for flu vaccine associated GBS and SIRVA. The VICP pays for your attorney’s fees and costs so there is no financial risk for you to pursue a claim. We represent people across the nation and will travel to meet you. You can contact our Vaccine Lawyers by calling 1-608-824-9540 or email us at andrew@kh-law.net . At Krueger Hernandez & Thompson SC, we listen, we care, we get results!
Related Previous kh-law blogs:
• https://khtlawyers.com/blog/vaccine/vaccine-injury-table-gbs-seasonal-flu-vaccine/
• https://khtlawyers.com/blog/vaccine/seasonal-flu-vaccine-covered-vicp/
• https://khtlawyers.com/blog/litigation/flu-vaccine-injury-claim/
• https://khtlawyers.com/blog/medical-related-injuries/guillainbarr-syndrome-flu-vaccine/
Further Resources on GBS and the Vaccination Injury Table:
• https://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/guillainbarre.htm
• https://www.hrsa.gov/advisorycommittees/childhoodvaccines/doj_presentation_december_accv.pdf
• https://www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation/vaccineinjurytable.pdf
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