Vaccines stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies that allow you to develop immunity to certain diseases. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that they are quite powerful medications.
Because vaccines are so powerful, they can cause adverse reactions in certain people. Low fevers and pain at the site of the injection are not uncommon. But in some rare cases, people may develop symptoms that result in long-term health conditions, hospitalizations, and even death.
If you or a loved one has gotten vaccinated and are experiencing medical symptoms, it’s important to catch them early on. Getting treatment immediately will keep health conditions from getting worse.
With that in mind, here are some common vaccine injuries and the symptoms you should be looking out for.
Vaccine Injuries and Their Symptoms
- Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS): Guillain Barre Syndrome is an autoimmune condition. It causes the immune system to attack and damage the nerve cells in the body. Although the cause of GBS is unknown, it is often associated with flu and tetanus shots. Symptoms include muscle pain, weakness, numbness, and tingling in the extremities (generally starting in the feet and moving upward) difficulty walking or standing for long periods, difficulty breathing and speaking, and sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures.
- Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA): While it is not uncommon to experience pain at the site of the injection, if you are experiencing shoulder pain, stiffness, diminished strength, or a reduced range of motion, you may have SIRVA. SIRVA can manifest as bursitis, tendinitis, rotator cuff tears, or adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder).
- Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM): This is a rare condition that causes the body’s immune system to attack the myelin (the proteins that form around nerve fibers) in the body. While ADEM is generally caused by infection, it has also been linked to certain vaccinations and symptoms can occur months after the vaccine was administered. These include a loss of vision, muscle weakness, and problems with coordination.
Becoming Compensated for Injuries
If you experienced a personal injury as a result of a vaccination, you deserve compensation. The U.S. Congress created a National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (NVICP) to ensure people injured by vaccines will be covered for damages. The Groth Law Firm can help you determine if are eligible for compensation under the NVICP.
The Groth Law Firm has years of experience in the field of personal injury law. They take a caring approach keeping clients informed on their legal situations every step of the way. Their aggressive representation ensures that the people they represent will get the positive results they are looking for.
Vaccine injuries can greatly reduce the quality of life. Getting compensation will ease your financial burden and help you get the closure you need. Call the Groth team to find out how a vaccine injury lawyer can help you get the justice you deserve.