Guillain-Barre Syndrome

[mollytykate]

Is anyone else with GB a little scared about the cold/flu season coming? I have two kids that go to a daycare center and am trying my best to keep everyone healthy with vitamins, hand washing, germ squirt ect. but my doctors last words when I was being released from the hospital keep ringing in my head "just don't get sick", "it could set you back extremely in your recovery". I was told no more flu shots for me. I've NEVER been one to worry about things like Y2K or that bird epidemic or now H1N1 until I was hospitalized with GB in May 3rd and released July 27.What other precautions are people taking?

[crlyn324]

Well, I have 2 kids also, one in pre school. Really, theres nothing to do except what you are doing. No flu shots, nothing. I am really scared too!!

[mariono]

I have two small grandchildren who I visit once a week and they are constanly getting colds, shiffles etc - in fact, I think my episode of GBS started after catching a mild sore throat from them in December last year. When I recovered well enough to resume my visits. I was also a bit concerned about picking up an infection again, with another episode of GBS, but this hasn't happened. In fact, the likelihood of getting GBS again is only about 3% - about the same as the risk of getting it for the first time. According to information from the Internet, what happens is that your immune system reacts to an infection and starts fighting it. By sheer fluke, there is something in that particular virus that is very similar to your own myelin ( nerve sheaths) - so your immune system sees the myelin as an enemy and attacks it, stripping it off the nerves. Because viruses go on mutating all the time, that virus will change from it's original form and, even if you are exposed to it a second time, your immune system will not react to it as it did before. I know some people have got GBS more than once, but most people won't. Also, GBS is an illness with much variation in it's severity, duration and after effects - so those people who get relapses may very well have some other similar disorder of the nerves. But anyway, worrying about something is futile, you cannot predict problems and neither can you prevent problems. Relax and enjoy each day that you have!!!

[mollytykate]

Thanks mariono, your absolutely right. My children are my complete world and although I do fear the thought of getting sick again, my every focus is to show them my love!