Swine flu vaccine and Gullaine-Barre Syndrome

Concerns have been raised over the 1976 swine flu pandemic that never happened, the rushed vaccines and the victims of Guillain-Barre Syndrome. UK doctors have been advised to watch for and report cases for further study. It has not been confirmed whether the flu itself, or the vaccines, caused the disease. (1) (2)

Epidemiological studies have shown an increase in GBS cases during the 6-8 weeks following flu vaccination. However, they have also shown a significant increase in cases following flu-like illnesses (3) and have shown linkage to illnesses prior to vaccination. (4)

The bottom line is that Gullaine-Barre Syndrome is a risk without vaccination, a slightly higher risk with vaccination, and the highest risk is if you vaccinate a few weeks after having a flu-like illness.

Still, there are other risks with vaccination. And even though the vaccination for H1N1 will only require a single dose (5), there still will not be enough to go around. So for people who don't have vaccine available, or choose not to vaccinate, herbs that have proven in clinical trials to be effective against flu viruses are available.

Please note that I am not a medical professional and this article is for informational purposes only. This is not intended to substitute for medical advice. Many medicinal herbs can be toxic in specific circumstances and can interact with prescribed pharmaceuticals. Therefore, before taking herbs for medicinal purposes, please consult with your doctor if you are already on prescription drugs, if you are pregnant, or if you develop symptoms of the flu or some other ailment.

References
(1) Doctors told to watch for Guillain-Barre syndrome during Swine flu vaccination programme By Rebecca Smith, Medical EditorPublished: 2:38PM BST 16 Aug 2009
URL at http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/swine-flu/6038460/Doctors-told-to-watch-for-Guillain-Barre-syndrome-during-Swine-flu-vaccination-programme.html

(2) Doctors on lookout for Guillain-Barré symptoms in swine flu patients. August 16, 2009.
URL at http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/health/Swine_flu/article6798178.ece

(3) Am J Epidemiol. 2009 Feb 1;169(3):382-8. Epub 2008 Nov Investigation of the temporal association of Guillain-Barre syndrome with influenza vaccine and influenzalike illness using the United Kingdom General Practice Research Database.
Stowe J, Andrews N, Wise L, Miller E.
Immunisation Department, Health Protection Agency Centre for Infections, London, UK. julia.stowe@hpa.org.uk
URL at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19033158?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DiscoveryPanel.Pubmed_Discovery_RA&linkpos=2&log$=relatedarticles&logdbfrom=pubmed

(4) Guillain-Barré syndrome following influenza vaccination.
Haber P, DeStefano F, Angulo FJ, Iskander J, Shadomy SV, Weintraub E, Chen RT. JAMA. 2004 Nov 24;292(20):2478-8 Immunization Safety Branch, Epidemiology and Surveillance Division, National Immunization Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Ga 30333, USA. PHaber@cdc.gov
URL at:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15562126?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DiscoveryPanel.Pubmed_Discovery_RA&linkpos=3&log$=relatedarticles&logdbfrom=pubmed

(5) Studies show 1 dose of swine flu vaccine works for adults, good news for busy flu season
By LAURAN NEERGAARDAP Medical Writer
(AP) 07:09:42 AM (ET), Friday, September 11, 2009 (WASHINGTON)
URL at http://start.localnet.com/article.php?article=D9AL2VT00.html