Flu infection may cause Parkinson's to progress quickly
 

From this AskReddit thread:
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slugmaniac comments on Scientists of Reddit, what's a phenomenon in your field that the average person hasn't heard of, that would blow their mind?

I wanted to let people know because my father contracted the flu two weeks ago and contracted pneumonia and he has been doing the worst I've ever seen him. There is also another person I spoke with whose father contracted the flu who took a very bad turn. If I had known, I would have had him taking anti-inflammatories the whole time. Something for everyone to be aware of during flu season (and any other systemic infection).

I decided to join Reddit and then send a PM (private message) to slugmaniac to try to get a solid reference to support his statement about PD progression speeding up during an infection such as the flu (see curem's link above).

We have now exchanged a few PMs, and what he has told me is that the evidence supporting that Reddit statement comes mainly from animal studies. Evidence from humans is largely anecdotal at this stage, but should strengthen as more clinical studies report their results.

He gave me a couple of links related to animal studies.

Systemic LPS Causes Chronic Neuroinflammation and Progressive Neurodegeneration

Neurodegeneration by activation of the microglial complement-phagosome pathway. - PubMed - NCBI

I think this issue is quite important for us PwPs, as it has a bearing on questions like "Should I get an annual flu shot?"

I haven't had the flu since childhood, but let's assume that I get the flu about once every 10 years. So over a ten-year period, what I am choosing between is ten short inflammatory responses verses one long inflammatory response. Which is better, in terms of increased PD progression? My gut instinct says that ten short inflammatory responses is better, but I suspect that nobody really knows for sure. Slugmaniac said that, while he tended to agree with me, a specialist immunologist would probably be the best person to answer this question.

But I guess this is actually a moot point, until the Reddit statement can be supported by more than anecdotal evidence and animal studies.

Curem, I hope that your father has now fully recovered from his bouts of flu and pneumonia. If that is the case, are you able to say whether you think that his PD has progressed significantly as a result of these infections?

Footnote: Slugmaniac has given me permission to share with the forum the information he has given me.

Jeffreyn, I don't live with PD but know a fair bit of immunology and cell biology.

Like you, I have not had flu for many years. The current flu vaccines are essentially an exercise in "catch-up". Flu virus, because it is an RNA virus, mutates rapidly so the vaccines are an attempt to block infection by the latest version(s).

This topic came up recently in a regular consultation with my GP. He suggested that I might like to get the current flu vaccine. I pointed out that I have no underlying medical problems which mean that I am unusually susceptible to flu virus infection and its possible consequences. He agreed with my call not to get the vaccine.

Other folk, with different medical histories, may make other choices.

I agree 100%, kiwi33, although I'm not sure that's clear from what I wrote!

What I was trying to say was that the hypothesis that "PD progression speeds up while you have the flu" is currently only supported by anecdotal evidence and animal studies. For this reason I think it should currently play no role in the decision on whether or not to have an annual flu shot.

As you pointed out, factors such as an individual's general health, living/working environment, etc. should be the guide.

I should have added something along these lines to help avoid misunderstandings.