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Transverse Myelitis & the Flu Vaccine

Transverse myelitis, or TM, affects the nerves in the spinal cord, causing weakness in legs, arms back, numbness and loss of function. While not proven, many people believe flu vaccine is a possible cause of some cases of TM.

  1. What is Transverse Myelitis?

    • Transverse myelitis is a neurological condition that occurs when there is an inflammation in the myelin nerve fibers in the spinal cord. According to The Transverse Myelitis Association, possible causes of TM are believed to include viral infections, abnormal immune reactions, bacterial skin infections and some vaccinations, including chickenpox, rabies and flu.

    Flu Vaccine and TM

    • No proven medical link exists to connect most flu vaccines and TM. Anecdotal evidence does exist, however, including an October 14, 2008 article published in the Kansas News and Weather on a woman who was diagnosed with TM four days after receiving a flu shot.

    1976 Swine Flu Vaccine and TM

    • A legal ruling that the 1976 swine flu inoculation was a causal factor in a case of TM was upheld by a U.S. court in a May 1, 1984 appeal. The U.S. District Court for the District of Utah found for the plaintiff, Verlin G. Unthank, who alleged contracting TM as a "direct and proximate result of swine flu vaccination."

    Symptoms of TM

    • According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), symptoms of TM include lower back pain, muscle weakness and unusual sensations in the toes and feet, leading to loss of spinal cord function and paralysis. If you develop these symptoms, see your doctor.

    Treatment

    • Treatment is designed to manage and ease symptoms; corticosteroids may be prescribed to reduce inflammation. Rest and physical therapy are recommended to help maintain body strength and function, according to The Transverse Myelitis Association.

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