The modern age of vaccines began in
1796
with arm-to-arm inoculation to protect against smallpox, and vaccination development and use exploded in the early 20th century. A number of dangerous diseases, such as pertussis, diphtheria, smallpox, measles, and polio, are now virtually eradicated due to the use of vaccines. However, despite the upside of vaccinations,
vaccine injury
is a possible risk.
Vaccine injuries are not widespread, but they can cause serious health conditions in children and adults. If you are the victim of a vaccine injury, you are entitled to compensation through the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. Get to know some of the most common vaccine injuries.
Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Injury (SIRVA)
After getting a shot in the arm, soreness and some stiffness are not uncommon. However, SIRVA encompasses a lot more than just a sore upper arm. SIRVA occurs when a vaccination is improperly administered into the deltoid bursa. This condition causes severe and persistent shoulder pain along with the shoulder joint having limited function.
SIRVA may be caused by an immune response to components found in a vaccine. In adults, SIRVA has developed after being administered a vaccine in which the person already has some immunity built up due to previous vaccination, such as the influenza vaccine or tetanus vaccine.
In
one study, 50 percent of the subjects noticed severe shoulder pain immediately after the vaccine was administered, and 90 percent of the subjects developed severe shoulder pain and limited range of motion within 24 hours. The duration of SIRVA for the subjects in the study ranged from 6 months to several years, and 30 percent of the subjects had to undergo shoulder surgery due to SIRVA.
Guillain-Barre Syndrome
Guillan-Barre Syndrome is a rare disorder, but it can be dangerous and even life-threatening. This disorder causes your body's own immune system to attack your nerves. In severe cases, this disease can lead to prolonged paralysis. Cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome have been associated with the influenza vaccine, tetanus shot, Gardasil vaccine, Hepatitis B vaccine, and other common vaccines.
The first symptoms of Guillan-Barre syndrome are typically weakness and tingling in the extremities. The tingling and weakness can then spread throughout the body as nerves are attacked, causing paralysis. A person with Guillan-Barre syndrome should seek medical attention at the first signs of the condition for the best possible outcome.
Additional symptoms of Guillan-Barre syndrome include an unsteady gait, difficulty speaking, chewing, or swallowing, severe aches and cramps, rapid heartbeat, and difficulty breathing. While there is no cure for Gullian-Barre syndrome, high-dose immunoglobulin therapy and plasma exchange are used to promote recovery.
Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura is a condition where the blood can't clot properly. A child or an adult can develop idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura after being given the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. This condition stops the bone marrow from making enough platelets, so the blood is very slow to clot. As a result, internal bleeding, bleeding under the skin, or excessive bleeding can occur.
Some of the common signs of the onset of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura include bruises, spontaneous nosebleeds, bleeding gums, blood in urine or stool, excessive bleeding from lacerations, extremely heavy menstruation, and profuse bleeding during surgery.
Blood clotting disorders can be dangerous, so any person who has the symptoms of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura needs to seek medical attention. A number of different medications can be used to control idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and increase the number of platelets in the blood. In some cases, the spleen may need to be surgically removed to treat the condition.
If you have developed any problems after being vaccinated, please
contact
Vaccine Injury Lawyers.