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Is Non Hodgkins Lymphoma Possible After A Flu Shot?

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Posted on Mon, 3 Nov 2014
Question: Is it possible to get non hodgkins lymphoma from a flu shot or flumist? I see tv ads for medicines all the time that say lymphomas have happened. My 21 year old was diagnosed last year with lymphoma. He never had a flu vaccine until 2007. He has had about 5 in his life. Is it at all possible the flu vaccine caused it?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Prashant Sharma (34 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Usually not

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear.

Lymphoma is abnormal proliferation of lymphoid cells in lymph nodes and/or in bone marrow. It occurs due to mutations in specific cellular genes. The flu vaccines may induce proliferation of immune cells. But for lymphoma to occur there has to be mutations in cells causing abnormal, unrestricted proliferation.

Hope this answers your query. If any further clarifications will be happy to help you.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Prashant Sharma (28 minutes later)
So should I get my other 2 children the flumist this year? I'm scared to death to do anything to them that my older son did just in case. So it is possible that the flu shot caused his lymphoma?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Prashant Sharma (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
please do not misunderstand

Detailed Answer:
hi. flu shot is not the cause of lymphoma. the vaccine should be given if required. lymphoma is caused if there are mutations in genes specific for cell division regulation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Prashant Sharma (1 hour later)
So the flu shot or must could not have contributed at all to my sons lymphoma? It could just accelerate it if it is already there? What if my other kids have the same mutation? I have 3 other boys 9, 7 and 8 mos what should I do? Do you give your kids the flumist?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Prashant Sharma (18 hours later)
Brief Answer:
may be given to other children but not to patient.

Detailed Answer:
hi sir, sorry for the delay to answer. i did't get time for this.
flumist is not a popular vaccine in our country - XXXXXXX if you look at the side effects of flumist, they will never say that it can cause lymphoma. we do't have enough evidence that can correlate vaccine to cancer. i think in your son's case its just an incidental finding. in my opinion, there should not be such harm in other children. but still you should consult local doctors for the feasibility of this vaccination and to rule out contraindications.
the vaccine consists of live attenuated viruses. such viruses are not able to cause cancer directly.
feel free to ask further.
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Prashant Sharma

Oncologist, Surgical

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 177 Questions

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Is Non Hodgkins Lymphoma Possible After A Flu Shot?

Brief Answer: Usually not Detailed Answer: Hi dear. Lymphoma is abnormal proliferation of lymphoid cells in lymph nodes and/or in bone marrow. It occurs due to mutations in specific cellular genes. The flu vaccines may induce proliferation of immune cells. But for lymphoma to occur there has to be mutations in cells causing abnormal, unrestricted proliferation. Hope this answers your query. If any further clarifications will be happy to help you. Regards