During flu season, many Americans will get their annual flu shot to protect them from that year’s strain. Most will walk away with mild to moderate symptoms, like a sore arm or fever, which resolve within a week or two.
However, In very rare cases, the flu vaccine will trigger an autoimmune response. This response can cause long-lasting conditions like Miller Fisher Syndrome (MFS) to develop.
Miller Fisher Syndrome is a variant of Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS). As such, the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) recognizes MFS as an adverse reaction to the seasonal flu shot.
In this article, we will discuss vaccine-related Miller Fisher Syndrome, its symptoms, your treatment options, and how to get compensation for this vaccine injury. Keep reading to learn more.
If you or someone you love was diagnosed with Miller Fisher Syndrome following a flu vaccination, there is hope. At Shannon Law Group, P.C., our compassionate vaccine injury attorneys can help you pursue compensation from the federal government. Please contact us today for a free consultation at (312) 578-9501.
What is Miller Fisher Syndrome?
Like GBS, Miller Fisher Syndrome is a rare acquired nerve disease. It can be triggered by a viral or bacterial infection, as well as a seasonal flu shot. At its core, Miller Fisher Syndrome is an autoimmune disorder that attacks the nervous system.
Symptoms of Miller Fisher Syndrome often occur within several weeks following a viral infection or vaccination.
For vaccine-related Miller Fisher Syndrome, patients will experience the onset of this disorder within 3 to 42 days following a flu vaccination.
Several MFS symptoms overlap with common GBS symptoms. The signs of Miller Fisher Syndrome include:
- Weakness or paralysis of the eye muscles
- Unusual muscle coordination
- Lack of tendon reflexes
- Difficulty swallowing, talking, and/or breathing
- Weakness and numbness in your arms and legs
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms following a flu shot, please seek treatment immediately. Miller Fisher Syndrome and Guillain-Barre Syndrome can be fatal if left untreated.
How is Miller Fisher Syndrome Treated?
As mentioned, treatment is often needed to recover from Miller Fisher Syndrome.
When you arrive at the emergency room, the doctor may order a spinal tap to collect a sample of your spinal fluid. They may also order an EMG or MRI to confirm a diagnosis. MFS is a clinical diagnosis, so it’s often diagnosed by analyzing the antibodies in your blood.
If you are diagnosed with Miller Fisher Syndrome, you’ll then undergo treatment under the direction of your physician. Treatment options for Miller Fisher Syndrome include:
- Supportive care
- Intravenous immunoglobin (Ivig)
- Plasma exchange
- Occupational therapy, physical therapy, and/or speech therapy
Following a diagnosis, most patients recover within 6 months. The average recovery time is 8 to 12 weeks for Miller Fisher Syndrome. However, some may suffer from residual weakness from this condition. Relapses occur in less than 3 percent of cases.
How do I get compensation for Miller Fisher Syndrome caused by the flu vaccine?
When you get a flu vaccine, you’re trying to protect yourself and those around you. You never expected to experience an adverse reaction like Miller Fisher Syndrome that turns your whole life upside down.
The federal government in the United States has acknowledged these rare side effects. Because of this, it offers compensation to people like you affected by them.
In order to receive compensation, you file a petition in the U.S. Federal Court of Claims under the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program alleging that the vaccine caused your injury. There are strict deadlines for filing a petition in the VICP. You have three years from the onset of your symptoms to file for compensation.
Under the VICP, you can receive compensation for out-of-pocket medical expenses, lost past and future wages, and pain and suffering (up to $250,000).
If you’d like to learn more about how the process of filing a vaccine injury claim, you can get a free copy of attorney Jonathan Svitak’s book, Vaccine Injuries: Understanding the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.
Contact an Experienced Vaccine Injury Attorney Today
At Shannon Law Group, P.C., we help people across the United States get compensation from the federal government. We will work with you to file your petition and advocate for you in the U.S. Federal Court of Claims.
Contact us at (312) 578-9501 to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys to learn more about your options.
Schedule Your Free Consultation Today
Recent Blog Posts
How to File an HPV Vaccine Lawsuit in the VICP
By Katelyn Pater |
Tetanus Shot Side Effects in Adults: What You Need to Know
By Katelyn Pater |
