Re: Finland - National Health Dept. Suspends A/H1N1 Vaccine Due to Possible Narcolepsy Connection
Flu jab probe as cases here linked to sleep disorder
Four Irish people suffering from a sleeping disorder that may be linked to the swine flu jab are now part of a Europe-wide probe.
Two of the Irish people -- including a 10-year-old girl -- have been diagnosed with narcolepsy, a rare condition where a person falls asleep suddenly and unexpectedly.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA), which is conducting the investigation, said yesterday it was looking at 162 cases across Europe to find out whether there was any link between the swine flu jab and the condition.
Hilary Dowdall, from Stamullen, Co Meath, told how her daughter Chloe was diagnosed with narcolepsy in November, six months after getting the injection.
"I'm not jumping to any conclusions about a link but I am anxiously awaiting the results of the investigation," she said.
Chloe, a pupil at St Fiachra's school, Beaumont, Dublin, was an active, healthy youngster but six weeks after getting the swine flu jab, she developed certain symptoms, which included collapsing after laughing.
"She started to sleep excessively during the day and I thought initially she was just very tired," said Ms Dowdall.
Ms Dowdall embarked on a search for a diagnosis, with blood tests and brain scans coming up clear. Eventually, Chloe was referred to Temple Street Children's Hospital.
Flu jab probe as cases here linked to sleep disorder
Four Irish people suffering from a sleeping disorder that may be linked to the swine flu jab are now part of a Europe-wide probe.
Two of the Irish people -- including a 10-year-old girl -- have been diagnosed with narcolepsy, a rare condition where a person falls asleep suddenly and unexpectedly.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA), which is conducting the investigation, said yesterday it was looking at 162 cases across Europe to find out whether there was any link between the swine flu jab and the condition.
Hilary Dowdall, from Stamullen, Co Meath, told how her daughter Chloe was diagnosed with narcolepsy in November, six months after getting the injection.
"I'm not jumping to any conclusions about a link but I am anxiously awaiting the results of the investigation," she said.
Chloe, a pupil at St Fiachra's school, Beaumont, Dublin, was an active, healthy youngster but six weeks after getting the swine flu jab, she developed certain symptoms, which included collapsing after laughing.
"She started to sleep excessively during the day and I thought initially she was just very tired," said Ms Dowdall.
Ms Dowdall embarked on a search for a diagnosis, with blood tests and brain scans coming up clear. Eventually, Chloe was referred to Temple Street Children's Hospital.
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