Can Flu Shots Reduce Blood Clot Threat?

A recent study conducted by researchers from the University Paris Descartes has claimed that in addition to defending us from influenza, an inoculation against flu also lowers the threat of building up blood clots in the body. The study has suggested that the vaccination is able to reduce the risk by approximately 26%.

During the course of their research, which included over 1,400 patients, scientists have discovered that the inoculation against the flu is uniformly effectual against two different kinds of blood accumulation in the circulatory system. The flu shot was found to be successful against deep vein thrombosis, thickening of the blood in the leg, and pulmonary embolism or accumulation of blood mass in the lung.

It may be mentioned here that clotting of blood may often prove to be lethal if it bursts out and passes through the blood vessels to reach the lungs.

The study also detected that immunization against influenza also helped to reduce the possibility of building up blood clots by 48 per cent amid people above the age of 52. Moreover, the research found that the inoculation against flu was successful in lowering the threats of building up accumulation of blood mass by 50 per cent in women below the age of 51 and significantly reducing the danger of forming blood clots by 59 per cent in women who use birth control pills.

According to Dr. Joseph Emmerich, the lead study author who presented the findings of the research team at the Scientific Sessions 2008 of the American Heart Association in New Orleans, Louisiana for the first time ever in the medical history their research has shed light on the fact that the threat of venous thrombotic embolism (VTE) or blood clots is likely to be lowered by administering the inoculation against influenza or flu shots.

Although the researchers from the University Paris Descartes have suggested that the vaccination against influenza may substantially reduce the threat of blood clots in the body, it is interesting to note that they are still uncertain as to how precisely the flu shots work in this regard. According to Dr. Emmerich, his research team plans to conduct further studies on the subject with a view to discover how flu shots function or are responsible for reducing blood clots in the body.

Some scientists have come out with a theory in this regard. They suggest that it is possible when a person suffers from flu, it sets off an inflammation in the body and this in turn could lead to accumulation of blood mass. Since flu shots protect us from influenza, it perhaps also defends the body against blood clotting. Meanwhile, discovery made by the University Paris Descartes research team is no doubt significant and it is being presumed that some day doctors will be prescribing flu shots for patients suffering from blood clotting.

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