Is the Guillain-Barré Syndrome life-threatening?गुइलेन-बैरे सिंड्रोम (GBS)

Why in news ? Following a reported outbreak of Guillain-Barré Syndrome, a rare neurological disorder, in Pune, with 73 cases so far, the Union Health Ministry has now sent a team to the city to assess the situation.

What is Guillain-Barré Syndrome?

• Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune neurological disorder in which a person’s immune system attacks their peripheral nerves, leading to muscle weakness that can progress to paralysis. People of any age can be affected, but it is more common in adults and males. The condition is rare, with an estimated incidence of 1/2 per 1,00,000 population.
• While the causes of GBS are still not fully understood, in most cases, it occurs after a viral or bacterial infection.
• According to the World Health Organization (WHO), infection with the bacteria Campylobacter jejuni, which causes gastroenteritis (including symptoms of nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea), is one of the most common risk factors for GBS.
• People can also develop GBS after having the flu or other viral infections from cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, and the Zika virus.

How does it affect the body?

Impact on the Body

• GBS is an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks the myelin sheath of nerve cells in the peripheral nervous system, impairing nerve signals and causing muscle weakness.
• Symptoms often begin as tingling and weakness in the feet and legs, spreading to the upper body and face.
• Severe cases can lead to paralysis, breathing difficulties, and life-threatening complications affecting blood pressure and heart rate.

Treatment

• While there is no cure, treatments like plasmapheresis (removing harmful antibodies from plasma) and intravenous immunoglobulin therapy (neutralizing immune attacks) aid recovery.
• Supportive care, physical therapy, and rehabilitation are often required.
• Prompt medical attention is crucial, as GBS can be life-threatening if not managed properly.