Context:
Peru has declared a 90-day national health emergency in response to a recent surge in Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) cases, raising concerns about the potential connection between GBS and Covid-19.
- Notably, Peru experienced a large outbreak of GBS in 2019 as well, with 683 suspected or confirmed cases during a specific period.
What is Guillain-Barre Syndrome?
- About: GBS is a serious autoimmune disorder that affects the peripheral nervous system. It initially presents weakness, tingling, and numbness in the limbs, which can progress to paralysis lasting 6-12 months or longer.
- The syndrome affects the nerves responsible for muscle movement, pain, temperature, and touch sensations.
- While more common in adults and males, GBS can occur in individuals of all ages.
- Cause: The exact cause of GBS is unknown, but as per the World Health Organisation (WHO), GBS is often preceded by an infection. This could be a bacterial or viral infection. This leads the immune system to attack the body itself.
- In rare cases, vaccinations and surgery may slightly increase the risk of developing GBS, but the likelihood of this happening is very low.
- Studies have shown that the risk of getting GBS from infections like the flu is much higher than the risk from vaccines, such as the flu vaccine.
- Treatment: GBS treatment involves procedures like plasmapheresis, which removes plasma and replaces it with other fluids.
- GBS and Covid-19: GBS cases have been reported in both adults and children with Covid-19. Also, there have been concerns about cases of
GBS following administration of Covid-19 vaccines
- About 100 suspected cases of GBS were identified among the 12.8 million people who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine (viral vector vaccine).
- Some cases of GBS have also been reported after receiving the Pfizer(mRNA vaccine) and AstraZeneca (viral vector vaccine) as well.
- A subcommittee of the WHO found that rare cases of GBS have been reported with adenovirus vector Covid-19 vaccines, but not with mRNA vaccines.
- However, recent studies suggest despite these potential side effects, the benefits of Covid-19 vaccination outweigh the risks.
- The incidence rate of GBS after SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination is low.
FAQs about Guillain-Barre Syndrome
A1: Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) is a serious autoimmune disorder that affects the peripheral nervous system. It is characterized by weakness, tingling, and numbness in the limbs, which can progress to paralysis lasting several months or longer. GBS affects the nerves responsible for muscle movement, pain, temperature, and touch sensations.
A2: The exact cause of GBS is unknown, but it is often preceded by an infection, either bacterial or viral. In GBS, the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own nerves. While rare, vaccinations and surgery may slightly increase the risk of developing GBS, but the likelihood of this happening is very low.
A3: The treatment of GBS often involves procedures like plasmapheresis, which removes plasma and replaces it with other fluids. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy may also be used to suppress the immune response.
A4: Yes, cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome have been reported in both adults and children with Covid-19. There have also been concerns about cases of GBS occurring after the administration of Covid-19 vaccines, particularly the viral vector vaccines like Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca. However, the incidence rate of GBS after SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination is low, and recent studies suggest that the benefits of Covid-19 vaccination outweigh the risks.
Read also:- Kessler Syndrome
