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My son was diagnosed with encephalitis in 2006, cause unknown. At that time, he was told not to get the flu vaccine for 5 years as it could trigger a recurrence. With H1N1 and the seasonal flu looming, I am considering getting him both flu vaccines due to his age (16) and school/sports activities. His neurologist has retired and I am awaiting a response from his GP, but would like to know if anyone has any info/experience that could help me. Thank you.
Hi, my son had E at age 6 , 1.5 years ago. We have never been told not to give him a flu shot but have chosen ourselves not to. i am curious about why your son was told to not have one for 5 years. I have asked his GP and neurologist if he should have the H1N1 vaccine and they both say it's safe although I have read problem with the adjuvant( potency booster) that it can cause auto immune reactions. Then reading on this site confuses me even more that the flu virus itself could cause a relapse. I have no idea what to do and feel like I'm damned if i do damned if I don't!
Help sombody!!!!!
Our neurologist is recommending the H1N1 shot (my son is 8 and had HSE two years ago). They are suggesting that he get the shot because the high fever associated with the flu could trigger seizures (seizures are a residual for him). He's received the seasonal flu shot for years with no adverse reaction, so they aren't concerned about it. They did say, however, that if at all possible, he should receive the shot and not the nasal spray (since the nasal spray contains live virus it could trigger the illness).
I received a reply from both my son's neurologist and pediatrician and they recommended both the H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines this year as he has had no lingering problems from E and H1N1 is problematic in his age group (16). We're scheduled to get both vaccines on Saturday. 4 years ago his neurologist said that he had seen an increased reoccurrence of E associated with the flu vaccine and to wait 5 years before getting the vaccine. As my son has been symptom-free and has had no problems with other vaccines, (Menactra, Tetanus last year), we decided to go with the flu vaccines. We are using the dead virus (shot) rather than the live virus nasal spray. Also, it is my understanding that, as of this time, the US vaccine has no adjuvants added to it. Good luck with your decision. It has been one of the most difficult ones I have ever had to make and I hope I made the right one after weighing the risks of both the viruses and vaccines.
I'm not getting either even though it means I can't go to school. If I was going as a student I'd have to because I wouldn't be able to go to school without risk, but being a volunteer I just decided to stay away & home. With this question I don't think there is a right or wrong decision because we don't know what could be more of a threat. I choose not to, but I know I can have a problem from that. I feel bad for you parents having to make the decision because I know it's really hard for you.
Michelle
Hello Claudiachristine... you said, "Then reading on this site confuses me even more that the flu virus itself could cause a relapse. "
I'm concerned about your confusion... and I'm not certain why you say that the flu can cause a relapse of encephalitis?
You may wish to check out this webpage http://www.answers.com/topic/encephalitis to view a list of the known causes of encephalitis.
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