Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM) Triggered By a Vaccine

Can ADEM be Triggered by a Vaccine?

Yes. Although rare, vaccination sometimes triggers acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, also known as ADEM. However, doctors often first diagnose ADEM as a severe first attack of multiple sclerosis (MS). This is because some of the symptoms of the two disorders, particularly those caused by demyelination, overlap.

ADEM usually shows symptoms of encephalitis (fever, coma), and symptoms of myelin damage (vision loss, paralysis). Multiple sclerosis usually does not show encephalitis-like symptoms. ADEM usually consists of a single episode or attack, while MS features many attacks over the course of time.

Prognosis of ADEM Triggered by Vaccination

Corticosteroid therapy typically shortens the duration of neurological symptoms of ADEM, while also halting further progression of the disease in the short term. The long-term prognosis varies significantly. Studies show that half of all ADEM patients will eventually completely recover. Unfortunately, that means the other half will not. Of those, the prognoses vary greatly.

Compensation for ADEM Triggered by a Vaccine

Mctlaw helps patients get compensation for clients experiencing acute eisseminated encephalomyelitis following vaccination. Some of the vaccines that may trigger ADEM include Flu shots (Influenza), Gardasil Vaccine, Menactra Vaccine, Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) Vaccine, and the Hepatitis B Vaccine.