Vitals Spotlight - We Give the Doctor an Exam

Please note that the basis of this report is from Rene Najera at the examiner.com. Please click here to read the original article and for more detailed information. Youtube videos of a former NFL Washington Redskins cheerleader who allegedly acquired dystonia from a flu vaccine has been making the rounds online. The cheerleader, Desiree Jennings, says that symptoms of dystonia started appearing shortly after taking the flu vaccine.

Dr. Leigh Vinocur

Dr. Leigh Vinocur completed her undergraduate coursework at the University of Michigan where she graduated with high honors. She subsequently earned an M.D. at Wayne State University in Detroit where she also completed post-graduate training, including an internship in general surgery and in urology and a residency in emergency medicine. She is licensed to practice medicine in the State of Maryland.

Dr. Vinocur has received numerous awards including the Medical Award from the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence and the prestigious Emergency Medical Award from the American College of Emergency Medicine.

Dr. Leigh Vinocur is currently employed as an emergency medicine doctor from the University of Maryland Medical System offered an alternative cause to Ms. Jennings’ syndrome. Dr. Vinocur stated that there have been no cases of dystonia associated with the flu vaccine and that neurology experts at the University of Maryland were using Ms. Jennings’ case to teach neurology residents about psychogenic dystonia.

Desiree Jennings (2.bp.blogspot.com)

Dystonia is a movement disorder that causes the muscles to contract and spasm involuntarily. The neurological mechanism that makes muscles relax when they are not in use does not function properly. Opposing muscles often contract simultaneously as if they are “competing” for control of a body part. The involuntary muscle contractions force the body into repetitive and often twisting movements as well as awkward, irregular postures.  Dystonia affects people of all ages and backgrounds. Dystonia is a neurological disorder where twitches and other repetitive, involuntary reactions occur. Normally, these repetitive actions do not let up.  On the video, Ms. Jennings’ symptoms subside at times. According to Dr. Vinocur, neurologists saw the video and were convinced it was psychogenic.

Psychogenic disorders originate in the mind or in mental or emotional processes; having a psychological rather than a physiological origin. This does not mean that a person is faking their symptoms. Rather, it means that the person truly believes that the symptoms are real. However, there is no physiological reason for the symptoms. It truly is all in their head.  Psychotherapy or some medications to treat the mental issues can help deal with psychogenic disorders.

Dr. Leigh Vincour says that Ms. Jennings’ story that she acquired flu from the flu vaccine is a scientific impossiblity. The flu virus in the injected vaccine is dead, inactive. In the solution being injected, the virus has no cells in which to live and reproduce. Viruses are, by definition, obligate intracellular parasites. They need cells to live, grow, and reproduce. There has been no recorded case of acquired flu from the flu shot vaccine.