Life-Threatening Guillain-Barré Syndrome(GBS): What to Look Out For
The Maharashtra government has verified that Pune has registered more than 100 cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), with a potential fatality reported in Solapur.
Initial unconfirmed reports indicated that the victim could have acquired the infection in Pune before moving to Solapur. Besides the Solapur case, the Maharashtra health department has also detected 18 other suspected GBS cases in Pune, Pimpri Chinchwad, rural Pune, and several nearby districts.
Among the 101 patients undergoing treatment in various hospitals, 16 are on ventilators. There are 68 male patients and 33 female patients.
What is Guillain-Barré Syndrome?
It is a rare neurological disorder whose exact causes are not known. It is believed that the GBS can also be caused by the Zika virus.
This condition occurs when the immune system erroneously targets the peripheral nerves, leading to weakness, numbness, and, in extreme cases, paralysis. Although the exact cause of GBS remains unclear, it often arises following an infection, vaccination, or surgery.
Symptoms:
-Tingling or numbness often starts in the feet and hands and then slowly spreads to other areas of the body, making it one of the initial symptoms.
-Weakness often starts in the legs and can move upwards, affecting the arms and upper body. Routine tasks like climbing stairs or lifting objects may become difficult.
-During a neurological examination, there may be a noticeable reduction or absence of reflexes, particularly in the knees and ankles.
-Discomfort, particularly in the lower back, legs, or shoulders, can manifest and is frequently characterized as either sharp or dull.
-As the condition progresses, individuals may experience facial weakness and challenges with eye movements, as well as difficulties in speaking, chewing, and swallowing.
-In severe cases, GBS can affect the nerves that control the respiratory system, causing breathing difficulties. This is a serious medical condition that requires immediate attention.
-GBS can interfere with the autonomic nervous system, causing irregular heart rhythms, variations in blood pressure, or issues with bladder and bowel control.
If you observe any signs of GBS, it is crucial to get medical attention immediately. To verify the diagnosis, physicians might conduct tests such as Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS), which assess the speed and intensity of nerve signals to detect any damage. A lumbar puncture might also be performed to test cerebrospinal fluid for elevated protein levels, which can indicate nerve damage.
Individuals are recommended to uphold good hygiene practices, drink boiled water, and consult a doctor if they notice symptoms like muscle weakness or breathing difficulties.
Meanwhile on the occasion of Republic Day on Sunday, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar discussed the increasing cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) in Pune.
Pawar announced, "The treatment for this issue is very expensive. After discussions with officials from the district administration and municipal corporation, we have decided to provide free treatment to affected citizens. Those from Pimpri-Chinchwad will be treated at YCM Hospital, while patients from Pune Municipal Corporation areas will receive treatment at Kamla Nehru Hospital. For citizens from rural areas, free treatment will be provided at Sassoon Hospital in Pune."
He further added, "The treatment injections cost around Rs8,000, but private facilities are charging nearly Rs20,000. To tackle this problem, we made these decisions today and will take additional steps once we return to Mumbai."