Follow
Share

I have also heard that if you have had the flu shot for more than 5 years straight, you will be more likely to develop Alzheimer's. I have received the shot for at least 37 years straight. Does anyone know if this is true? I don't have Alzheimer's in my Family. But I take care of my husband who is in stage 6 of the disease. It is scaring me now to think that I might be the next one to get it!

This discussion has been closed for comment. Start a New Discussion.
there are preservative free flu shots available if you find this worrisome.
(1)
Report

(this is from Alz.org, the website of the Alzheimer's Association)


Myth 6: Flu shots increase risk of Alzheimer’s disease
Reality: A theory linking flu shots to a greatly increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease has been proposed by a U.S. doctor whose license was suspended by the South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners. Several mainstream studies link flu shots and other vaccinations to a reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease and overall better health.

A Nov. 27, 2001, Canadian Medical Journal report suggests older adults who were vaccinated against diphtheria or tetanus, polio, and influenza seemed to have a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease than those not receiving these vaccinations. The full text of this report is posted on the journal’s Web site.


A report in the Nov. 3, 2004, JAMA found that annual flu shots for older adults were associated with a reduced risk of death from all causes. The abstract of that report is posted on PubMed.
(4)
Report

Myth.
(1)
Report

Thanks. It sets my mind at ease to know this is not true!
(0)
Report

wamnanealz, my parents are 93 and 97, both have been getting flu shots for over 30 years.... neither one has dementia/Alzheimer's, just age related memory lost like the rest of us have :P
(2)
Report

My almost 92 year old Mother had flu shots every year for many years. She began developing signs of dementia at least 10 years ago. Getting progressively worse over the years. Pretty bad now but not totally demented. She has not had a vaccine in about 7 years, since I've been keeping an eye on her.
I do believe the flu vaccine and other vaccines can cause dementia. Mercury is a known neurotoxin, as is Aluminum (also used as an adjuvant in vaccines). Easy to look this up. I suggest you look up Dr. Joseph Mercola's health website, There have been dozens of studies on this subject. Many of the studies show the connection between sudden onset autism in young children right after they receive certain combination vaccines. Again, could be caused by certain ingredients and preservatives found in the vaccines.
You can't believe the so-called findings from one small study or from studies done by the drug companies. The FDA and AMA are financially supported by these drug companies, so their "studies" are not impartial.
I'll say it again: look up Dr.Joseph Mercola and subscribe to his newsletter and type in "dementia" or "Alzeimers" in the search box. This is the best health/medical website to consult.
I am in no way connected to Dr. Mercola, in case you were wondering!
(0)
Report

Immunizations save lives!!!!!!! Influenza kills more elderly, yearly than any other condition. Children's vaccines? Read about diphtheria, whooping cough, and tetenus deaths prior to these dangerous so called vaccines. Don't forget about typhus and tuberculosis epidemics. Measles, mumps and rubella immunizations are also on the autism list of causes. My point-ignorance is not bliss.
(3)
Report

Thanks for the pro-vaccine support. I don't want more rehab patients from flu complications over the holidays (we get up to 3-4 a year just on my small service at ACH, and those are the ones that make it, not the ones that die.) And I sure don't EVER want to see my infectious disease colleagues have to relearn to treat diptheria...or me to learn polio rehab for kids...and if I never saw another case of whopping cough again, it'll be too soon. Measles mumps and rubella can cause serious post-encpehalitis brain problems, though rare, still at a higher frequency than esitmated due to vaccines. My kids got all their shots, and I get all mine. Actually my flu shot is mandatory unless I had a medical contraindication, which I don't - and I don't mind.
(3)
Report

Debralee, I agree with you. Back in 1918, long before there was a flu vaccine, 4% of the world population died in that flu pandemic.... Hong Kong Flu pandemic of 1968 and 1969 killed an estimated one million people worldwide.... when the H1N1/09 Flu Pandemic (2009–2010) hit, there were less deaths because people had been getting yearly flu shots.
(2)
Report

I read Dr. Mercola sometimes, and some of his ideas are not bad, but this quote, "While death and complete disability from a flu vaccine may be rare, so is dying from the flu itself. So I strongly recommend weighing the risk of suffering a debilitating side effect of the flu vaccine relative to the more likely potential of spending a week in bed with the flu." (from articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/10/22/flu-vaccine-effectiveness.aspx) could only have been written by someone who never HAD the actual flu. It's more like TWO weeks and you feel like you are going to die...true, most people will be fine but not all by any means. Pregnant people and teens - and especially pregnant teens - and even just people with asthma - are especially likely to be clobbered with flu plus bacterial complications, and severe sepsis with all its consequences even given the best antibiotics we have to offer.
(1)
Report

Since October of 2008-October 2013, there were 830 flu-related deaths among people younger than 18 years old. Vast majority of the children never got their flu shot. And among those who died, more than 40% had no chronic health problem before getting the flu.

I rather error on the side of prevention.
(4)
Report

There is no aluminum or mercury in this year's hi-dose fluzone. No adjuvants either in the US formulation. I got mine in September. I am just fine.
(4)
Report

The mercury problem is in the multi-dose vials. So ask your MD what he is using. Insist on a single dose vial of flu shot.
(1)
Report

You can get your mercury level checked. I did and was toxic. Am doing chelation therapy for this. Tuna, swordfish are high in mercury along with farmed fish. Supposedly there is more mercury in fish than in the flu shot.
(0)
Report

Funny, I have had all those diseases when I was young, measles, mumps, rubella, whooping cough. My brother brought them home to me before i even went to school. I guess I was lucky that we got the polio vaccine in 1957 when I was in 7th grade. When I started to teach I got strep 6 weeks in a row while student teaching. I went to the doctor every time and took antibiotics every time too. I don't think I have ever had flu though, since I have had the shot every single year since I was in my thirties. I am now 70. And going strong. No dementia yet, just my husband has it. I hope I last through his AD years.
(2)
Report

I had the Hong Kong flu in 1969. I was 13 at the time. I ran a fever around 103 for most of the 10 days that I had it. Mom had to take time off work to stay with me - I couldn't be left alone because I was so sick.
When I was 2 I got Rubella. It caused me to run such a high fever that I had permanent brain damage, causing a seizure disorder that is with me to this day. Back then they didn't have vaccinations. My kids got all of them, and I get the flu shot every year.
(3)
Report

This discussion has been closed for comment. Start a New Discussion.
Start a Discussion
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter