DEAR DR. DONOHUE: When articles put stress on people to get a flu shot, why isn’t the public informed of the downside of those shots?
When my brother turned 60, his wife, a nurse, encouraged him to get a flu shot. He did, and in less than 24 hours, he was in the hospital, paralyzed from the cheekbones down. He stayed in intensive care for six weeks and in the hospital for four months. Today he still has no feeling in his feet. In the hospital at the same time were eight other people with the same problem. Your comments would be appreciated. — F.T.
DEAR DR. DONOHUE: The enclosed Internet article stopped me from getting a flu shot. Please comment. — W.F.
A: Did your brother get the
flu shot in 1976? That was the
year when swine flu was predicted to be a threat, and the virus causing swine flu was included in the flu vaccine for that year. In the same year, there was an increase in the number of people with Guillain-Barre syndrome, a paralyzing illness. Most people make a complete recovery from it. It’s fatal for a few. The increased number of GB patients was linked to the flu vaccine. Since that time, the incidence of Guillain-Barre syndrome has been no greater in those getting the flu vaccine than it has been in those not getting it.
A flu shot can cause a serious reaction called anaphylaxis. It’s a critical allergic reaction that brings about a blood pressure drop and labored breathing. It is a possible death threat. However, most people can be treated successfully. This happens to people who are allergic to eggs. The flu vaccine is grown in eggs, so people with egg allergy should not have a flu shot.
Consider the other side of the issue. In the United States, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized every year for the flu. Somewhere between 36,000 and 70,000 die from it yearly, and most of them are older people. That has got to be strong evidence for the value of flu vaccine.
W.F.’s Internet information said that flu vaccine was linked to Alzheimer’s disease. I don’t believe that for a minute.
DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I read that our daily potassium need is 3,500 mg to 4,500 mg. Supplements provide only 90 mg. How can we get the daily recommended amount? — B.C.
A: If you eat a varied diet, you don’t have to worry about getting enough potassium. It’s everywhere. Vegetables and fruits are good sources. Here are some examples (the amounts are 1 cup unless otherwise specified, and the numbers are in milligrams): white beans, 1,000; lima beans, 950; a baked potato with skin, 800; a sweet potato, 700; Brussels sprouts, 250; an orange, 250; orange juice, 500; a banana, 470; grapefruit juice, 400; grapes, 176; an apple, 160; a cup of milk, 380.
Three ounces of ground beef has 300 mg; 4 ounces of pork, 400; 6 ounces of ham, 170. A cup of coffee has 171.
The actual daily recommendation is 4,700 mg. You don’t need a supplement to reach it.
The booklet on electrolytes, sodium, potassium and chloride explains these minerals in detail. Readers can obtain a copy by writing: Dr. Donohue — No. 202, Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-64765. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 with the recipient’s printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery.
