Did You Know!
A Simple Infection Can Trigger Temporary Paralysis
Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the peripheral nerves. The condition often begins days or weeks after recovering from a seemingly ordinary illness, such as the flu, COVID-19, or a stomach infection.
The first symptoms usually include tingling in the hands or feet, followed by muscle weakness that spreads upward through the body. In severe cases, paralysis can develop within days, and some patients require ventilators because the muscles used for breathing become too weak.
Despite how frightening it can be, many people recover with treatment such as intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), plasma exchange, and rehabilitation. Recovery may take months or even years, but most patients eventually regain much of their strength.
