What Causes Guillain-Barré Syndrome?

Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is a condition that has continued to impact individuals in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 3,000 to 6,000 Americans experience the symptoms of GBS yearly. Notably, the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) has drawn a link between GBS and vaccines, particularly those related to the flu shot. This is particularly true for the symptoms that manifest between 3 and 42 days post-vaccination.

If you have developed Guillain-Barré Syndrome after receiving a vaccine, you may be eligible for compensation. Our firm boasts significant success in securing damages for our clients who have suffered vaccine-related injuries. Our vaccine injury attorneys will assess your case free of charge and determine if your injury qualifies for compensation.

Understanding Guillain-Barré Syndrome

GBS is a rarely occurring disorder where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the peripheral nervous system. This results in a range of symptoms, primarily weakness and tingling sensations as the initial symptoms. The condition often starts in the legs and then spreads through the entire body, causing muscle weakness and, in severe cases, paralysis.

The immune system’s attack on the nerves disrupts the regular communication between the brain and muscles. This disruption is the leading cause of muscle weakness and sensation loss. In some cases, GBS can also affect vital functions like breathing and heart rate, making it a potentially life-threatening condition.

Notable symptoms of GBS include:

• Muscle weakness
• Tingling sensations
• Numbness
• Severe pain
• Bladder control/bowel function difficulties
• Difficulty walking
• Muscle coordination issues
• Fatigue
• Difficulty swallowing
• Breathing problems
• Rapid heart rate
• Blood pressure fluctuations
• Vision problems such as double vision
• Abnormal reflexes, such as challenges with facial movements
• Paralysis

The presence of these symptoms, especially when they align with the specified timeframe post-vaccination, forms a critical aspect of building a case for those seeking compensation. A vaccine injury lawyer will evaluate such cases to determine if there is a valid compensation claim.

Primary Causes of Guillain-Barré Syndrome

The cause of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is not fully known. However, mounting studies have linked the condition to various factors such as:

• Infections: GBS is often associated with preceding infections. These infections activate the immune response, which sometimes goes awry and starts attacking the body’s own nerves. Some people with GBS symptoms had infections with:
• Campylobacter jejuni– Campylobacter infection has been linked to GBS with a rate of 1 infection per 1000 administrations.
• Cytomegalovirus (CMV)– The risk of developing GBS after Cytomegalovirus infection is about 1 in 1000, according to the National Institute of Health.
• Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)– The PLOS Journal found a close association between GBS and Epstein-Barr virus infection.
• Zika Virus– Guillain-Barré syndrome and Zika association were in several cases reported after Zika virus infection, according to the National Library of Medicine.
• Surgeries: While less common, surgical procedures can trigger GBS. This is believed to be related to the body’s immune response to surgical stress. GBS symptoms due to surgery procedures have been reported to occur in 5-9% of patients.
• Vaccinations: In some studies, vaccinations, especially flu vaccines, have been associated with GBS. However, there is minimal risk of developing GBS after vaccination. This link has led to the establishment of the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) to provide compensation for those who develop GBS following vaccination.
• Medical triggers: GBS has rarely been attributed to medical triggers. For instance, physical trauma after accidents can sometimes precede GBS. Also, cytokine release, an excessive immune response often seen in cancer treatments, can lead to GBS pathophysiology. In very rare cases, medications such as immune checkpoint inhibitors have also been linked to GBS.

Vaccines as a Potential Cause

The association between GBS and vaccination was first observed during the 1976-77 Swine flu vaccination campaign. During that time, there was a massive swine flu outbreak. The government embarked on a mass vaccination campaign that aimed to combat the flu infection. Consequently, over 45 million individuals received the swine flu vaccine.

However, after the vaccination, few people reported GBS symptoms. Research indicates that those who received the swine flu vaccine had a slightly increased risk of developing GBS. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that for every 100,000 people who received the swine flu vaccine, approximately one additional case of GBS was reported. This historical context shows the potential link between certain vaccines and GBS. Since then, other vaccines have also been implicated in rare cases of GBS.

More recently, a study published in the Frontiers Media explored the connection between GBS and COVID-19 vaccines. This research delved into cases of individuals who had received COVID-19 vaccines, specifically DNA-based vaccines. The study considered factors like the type of vaccine, the number of vaccine doses administered before GBS onset, neurophysiological examination findings, laboratory test results, treatments, and prognosis. The study found that GBS predominantly occurred after the first dose of COVID-19 vaccines.

Additionally, the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) and the Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD) continue to shed more light on this matter. CDC analysis of their data suggests a risk of developing GBS among 18-year-olds after the administration of J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccination. This emerging evidence further suggests a possible link between GBS and the initial doses of COVID-19 vaccines.

Also, CDC has been monitoring GBS cases, especially during flu season. From their observation, it has been established that though there is a link between GBS and the flu vaccine, this link varies from season to season. During high risks of GBS, only 1-2 additional GBS cases were reported out of the administration of 1,000,000 vaccine doses.

Despite this link, more studies revealed that people are more likely to get GBS after a flu injection than after a flu vaccination. Thus, vaccination has remained one of the best ways to combat various infections to date.

What Vaccines Lead to Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), vaccines that have been associated with an increased risk of GBS include:

• Meningococcal vaccine
• Influenza vaccine
• Gardasil or HPV vaccine
• Varicella vaccine
• Tetanus toxoid-containing vaccines
• J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccination
• Hepatitis B vaccine
• Measles, rubella, mumps
• Polio
• Measles
• Pneumococcal conjugate

It is important to note that the risk of GBS associated with these vaccines is low, and the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks. Most people usually recover fully from GBS despite the few cases where there is long-term nerve damage.

The Science Behind Vaccines and GBS

Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), being a neurological disorder, affects the peripheral nervous system. While the exact cause of GBS is not fully understood, there is some scientific evidence to suggest that certain vaccines may, in rare cases, trigger its onset.

The best theory that attempts to explain the science behind vaccines and GBS is molecular mimicry. Under molecular mimicry, the body’s immune response to a vaccine generates antibodies and T-cells that inadvertently cross-react with gangliosides present in nerve cell membranes.

Gangliosides are molecules found on the surface of nerve cells, and their role is to facilitate proper nerve signal transmission. When the immune system mistakenly targets gangliosides due to their structural similarity to vaccine components, it can lead to an autoimmune response against the body’s own nerve cells, resulting in GBS.

For example, a small portion of a virus or bacterium is used in a vaccine to stimulate the immune system. However, if this portion of the pathogen shares similarities with a protein found in nerve cells, the immune response can mistakenly attack the nerve cells, leading to the development of GBS.

Notedly, the process of molecular mimicry typically requires some time to develop. The immune system needs 10 to 14 days to generate a humoral response. This duration creates a temporal gap that helps distinguish between vaccine-related GBS and unrelated events. This is one of the reasons why GBS rarely happens following vaccination. Also, the CDC monitors vaccination programs for adverse effects, research into alleged reactions, and safety.

Legal Implications and Compensation for Vaccine Injuries

Although vaccines undergo rigorous testing and clinical trials before they are approved, there is a small risk of adverse reactions and vaccine injuries associated with vaccination. When a vaccine injury occurs, the victims have a legal recourse to claim for compensation.

In the United States, compensation for vaccine-related injuries is available through the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). The VICP was established to ensure that individuals who may experience adverse reactions to vaccines can receive compensation for their injuries without going through a lengthy and potentially costly legal process.

When GBS is believed to be caused by a vaccine, victims may file a claim for compensation through the VICP. The program covers a range of vaccines, such as GBS injuries. To file a claim, you need to follow these steps:

• Consultation with an attorney: It is advisable to consult with an attorney specializing in vaccine injury cases. They will help you through the process and ensure you meet the necessary criteria to optimize your chances of potential compensation.
• Filing a petition: Your attorney will help you file a petition with the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. This petition outlines the details of your vaccine injury, including evidence that links the injury to the vaccine.
• Review by the VICP: The VICP will review your petition and may request additional information or medical records. They will assess whether your claim meets the program’s eligibility criteria.
• Compensation award: If your claim is successful, you will receive compensation for damages such as:
• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Any other expenses related to your vaccine injury

VICP operates on a “no-fault” basis. This means that compensation is provided without requiring proof of negligence on the part of the vaccine manufacturer or healthcare provider. The program is funded through a small excise tax on vaccines, and its purpose is to provide a streamlined process for vaccine injury claims.

If you believe you or a loved one has suffered a vaccine-related injury, you need to know your legal options immediately. It is in your best interest to consult with a vaccine injury attorney to help you understand the specific steps to take and the requirements for successful compensation.

Who May File GBS Claim

The following parties are generally eligible to file a Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) claim:

• The victim: If you have suffered from GBS following a vaccination, you have the right to file a compensation claim.
• Parent or legal guardian of a child or disabled person: Parents or legal guardians can file claims on behalf of a minor child or a disabled adult who has developed GBS due to vaccination.
• Legal representative: In cases where an individual has passed away due to GBS following vaccination, the legal representative of the deceased person’s estate can file a claim for compensation.
• Non U.S. citizens or Individuals outside the U.S.: Non-U.S. citizens or individuals who received a vaccine dose in the U.S. trust territory or were government employees when they received it outside the U.S. may also be eligible to file a claim.

To qualify for compensation, GBS injuries should meet the following criteria:

• The GBS injury should have lasted for over six months following the shot or
• The injury resulted in a hospital stay or surgery
• The vaccine was linked to the cause of death

Contact a Vaccine Injury Attorney Today

Establishing the cause of vaccine injuries such as GBS is a key step in seeking compensation for the damages and losses suffered. However, navigating the legal system can be complex, and having a legal representation can make a difference.

At Jeffrey S. Pop & Associates, our vaccine injury attorneys have the experience to prove the causation of your injuries after a vaccination. Importantly, you will not need to pay attorneys’ fees and costs from your settlement. The Vaccine Injury Compensation Program will cater to the costs so that you will not have to worry about out-of-pocket expenses.

If you or a loved one has suffered GBS after vaccination, we can help you get the compensation that you deserve. Our team will review your case, explore your legal options, and vigorously pursue compensation on your behalf. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.

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“If you or your child have been injured by a vaccine, reach out to us at Jeffrey S. Pop & Associates. With over 40 years of experience in vaccine litigation and a success rate over 90%, our firm is equipped to represent you in the United States Federal Court of Claims. We understand the complexities of vaccine-related illnesses and are committed to providing competent representation.”

Jeffrey S. Pop