Guillain-Barré Syndrome is a rare neurological disorder characterised by autoimmune destruction of the myelin sheath of peripheral nerves.

Causes

• Autoimmune
• Often follows a routine viral or bacterial infection
• Can also appear alongside AIDS, herpes simplex or mononucelosis (glandular fever)

Signs and symptoms

• Symptoms can appear quite suddenly and progress quickly
• bilateral muscle weakness
• hand and foot tingling sensation and pain
• difficulty walking
• clumsiness
• “ascending paralysis” affecting legs first and then arms
• can also affect the diaphragm causing breathing difficulties
• blurred vision
• low blood pressure
• heart palpitations / awareness of own heart beat

Treatment

• There is no cure but symptoms can be managed
• recovery is usually within weeks to months
• may need hospital care if symptoms progress
• medical treatment includes:
  • corticosteroids – to reduce inflammation
  • plasmapharesis – to remove antibodies from blood
  • intravenous immunoglobulin therapy – to block antibodies

Prognosis

• 80% will make a full recovery
• 15% will have some long-term effects
  • muscle weakness, loss of sensation, difficulty walking etc
• 5% will die
  • usually from respiratory problems or sepsis

Sources:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001704/
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Guillain-Barre-syndrome/Pages/Introduction.aspx