YOUR HEALTH
Voices rise against flue vaccine
DR. DONOHUE

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: When articles put stress on people to get a flu shot, why isn't the public informed of the downside of those shots? When my brother turned 60, his wife, a nurse, encouraged him to get a flu shot. He did, and in less than 24 hours, he was in the hospital, paralyzed from the cheekbones down. He stayed in intensive care for six weeks and in the hospital for four months. Today he still has no feeling in his feet. In the hospital at the same time were eight other people with the same problem. Your comments would be appreciated. -- F.T.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: The enclosed Internet article stopped me from getting a flu shot. Please comment. -- W.F.

ANSWER: Did your brother get the flu shot in 1976? That was the year when swine flu was predicted to be a threat, and the virus causing swine flu was included in the flu vaccine for that year. In the same year, there was an increase in the number of people with Guillain-Barre syndrome, a paralyzing illness. Most people make a complete recovery from it. It's fatal for a few. The increased number of GB patients was linked to the flu vaccine. Since that time, the incidence of Guillain-Barre syndrome has been no greater in those getting the flu vaccine than it has been in those not getting it.

A flu shot can cause a serious reaction called anaphylaxis. It's a critical allergic reaction that brings about a blood pressure drop and labored breathing. It is a possible death threat. However, most people can be treated successfully. This happens to people who are allergic to eggs. The flu vaccine is grown in eggs, so people with egg allergy should not have a flu shot.

Consider the other side of the issue. In the United States, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized every year for the flu. Somewhere between 36,000 and 70,000 die from it yearly, and most of them are older people. That has got to be strong evidence for the value of flu vaccine.

W.F.'s Internet information said that flu vaccine was linked to Alzheimer's disease. I don't believe that for a minute.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have a positive ANA test. Further blood work has been ordered. Will you address this, please? -- K.M.

ANSWER: Antibodies are the body's bullets directed against foreign invaders, including germs. ANA is antinuclear antibody, an antibody aimed at the nucleus of body cells. It doesn't appear to actually damage the cells' nucleus, but it can be a sign of an illness like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma and others. Sometimes, prescription drugs cause the production of ANA.

Five percent of perfectly normal people also have positive ANA.

If you have no signs or symptoms of illness and if there are no other lab tests that point to an illness, your positive test may be just a fluke.

Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL32853-6475. Readers may also order health newsletters from www.rbmamall.com. 2006 North America Syndicate Inc. All Rights Reserved