Each year thousands of people stand in line at grocery stores, schools and clinics paying good money to play Russian roulette.
What is the prize?
An opportunity to contract one of the many variations of Guillain-Barre Syndrome and possibly die; with each yearly trip.
What is Guillain-Barre Syndrome?
I’m glad you asked.
In this condition your body’s immune system attacks your nerves causing excruciating pain, difficulty breathing, problems with bladder control and bowel function, weakness, and problems with speaking, chewing and swallowing to name a few. Don’t forget about death. That’s only in the most extreme cases though.
According to Mayo Clinic – Mayo Clinic there are 3 main types but this illness is now known to occur in several forms:
Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (AIDP), the most common form in the U.S. The most common sign of AIDP is muscle weakness that starts in the lower part of your body and spreads upward.
Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS), in which paralysis starts in the eyes. MFS is also associated with unsteady gait. MFS occurs in about 5 percent of people with Guillain-Barre syndrome in the U.S. but is more common in Asia.
Acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) and acute motor-sensory axonal neuropathy (AMSAN) are less common in the U.S. But AMAN and AMSAN are more frequent in China, Japan and Mexico.
Where can you go to get your name in one of the many yearly drawings?
Anywhere flu shots are available for free or sold.
Go to the Google search engine and type in ‘flu shot’
The first thing you will see is various advertisements encouraging you to get the shot to protect yourself from the flu virus along with the various benefits associated with protection from the influenza virus.
They might forget to talk about the potential of contracting Guillain-Barre.
When you consent to your shot you have done so with the belief that it will be a good thing based on what was advertised to you.
Maybe it will.
Maybe it won’t.
Just make sure you read the side effects folks and make an informed decision from there. I sure as hell won’t be getting one anytime soon!
