BAKERSFIELD, CA - Many people around Kern County are getting flu shots, but a Bakersfield woman says she and her family can't get the shot because of the risk of developing a rare disease.
The chance of developing Guillain-Barré syndrome is one in 100,000. But Lora Burnett says ten years ago she and three others were diagnosed with the disease after getting flu shots.
"We just did so many fun things that we can't do anymore because of my disability because I got a flu shot," said Burnett.
The 54-year-old's life is wildly different from the one she lived ten years ago.
"I haven't been able to go out and do my normal activities like go to church or go to my grandchildren's school programs or anything like that," Burnett said.
In 2003, Burnett got a flu shot like she had done for many years. But two weeks later, she noticed numbness in her extremities and couldn't do simple things like brush her hair.
"So I went to the doctor and they referred me to a neurologist and I went to a neurologist, and after a battery of tests I found out I have Guillain-Barré syndrome."
Guillain-Barré is a rare disease that strikes the immune and nervous systems. Burnett's case was so severe that it left her paralyzed for two years. And today, she can't work, go for walks or do many of the things she loved doing before the disease struck her.
"It's awful. Guillain-Barré is awful," she said.
With the flu becoming widespread in Kern County, health officials are urging everyone to get the shot. But, Burnett can't get the shot because she has a 97 percent risk of redeveloping G.B.S. and says her children and grandchildren have a 65 to 70 percent chance of developing it, too.
Despite complications with Type 1 diabetes, Burnett says avoiding the flu is crucial.
"I didn't die from that, I'm still here. I certainly don't want to die from the flu."
Dr. Antonia Chalmers, the neurologist who diagnosed Burnett, says she was more susceptible to G.B.S. because of her underlying diabetes.
Dr. Chalmers says the only preventative measures you can take other than getting the shot, are to cover your cough, wash your hands, maintain a healthy diet, and stay away from crowded areas.
The chance of developing Guillain-Barré syndrome is one in 100,000. But Lora Burnett says ten years ago she and three others were diagnosed with the disease after getting flu shots.
"We just did so many fun things that we can't do anymore because of my disability because I got a flu shot," said Burnett.
The 54-year-old's life is wildly different from the one she lived ten years ago.
"I haven't been able to go out and do my normal activities like go to church or go to my grandchildren's school programs or anything like that," Burnett said.
In 2003, Burnett got a flu shot like she had done for many years. But two weeks later, she noticed numbness in her extremities and couldn't do simple things like brush her hair.
"So I went to the doctor and they referred me to a neurologist and I went to a neurologist, and after a battery of tests I found out I have Guillain-Barré syndrome."
Guillain-Barré is a rare disease that strikes the immune and nervous systems. Burnett's case was so severe that it left her paralyzed for two years. And today, she can't work, go for walks or do many of the things she loved doing before the disease struck her.
"It's awful. Guillain-Barré is awful," she said.
With the flu becoming widespread in Kern County, health officials are urging everyone to get the shot. But, Burnett can't get the shot because she has a 97 percent risk of redeveloping G.B.S. and says her children and grandchildren have a 65 to 70 percent chance of developing it, too.
Despite complications with Type 1 diabetes, Burnett says avoiding the flu is crucial.
"I didn't die from that, I'm still here. I certainly don't want to die from the flu."
Dr. Antonia Chalmers, the neurologist who diagnosed Burnett, says she was more susceptible to G.B.S. because of her underlying diabetes.
Dr. Chalmers says the only preventative measures you can take other than getting the shot, are to cover your cough, wash your hands, maintain a healthy diet, and stay away from crowded areas.