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Acute flaccid myelitis
Acute flaccid myelitis is a rare condition that affects the nervous system. Inflammation of the gray matter in the spinal cord leads to muscle weakness and paralysis. Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is usually caused by infection with a virus. While AFM is rare, there has been a slight increase in cases of AFM since 2014. Most new cases have occurred in children or young adults.
Causes
AFM usually occurs after a cold, fever, or gastrointestinal illness. Different kinds of viruses may be the cause of AFM. These include: Enteroviruses (poliovirus and non-poliovirus) West Nile virus and similar viruses such as Japanese encephalitis virus and Saint Louis encephalitis virus Adenoviruses It is unclear why…
Symptoms
A fever or a respiratory illness is often present before weakness and other symptoms begin. AFM symptoms often start with sudden muscle weakness and loss of reflexes in an arm or leg. Symptoms may progress rapidly over a few hours to days. Other symptoms may include: Facial droop or weakness Drooping eyelids…
Exams and Tests
Your health care provider will take your medical history and vaccination history to know if you are up-to-date with your polio vaccines. Unvaccinated individuals who are exposed to poliovirus are at higher risk for acute flaccid myelitis. Your provider also may want to know if within the last 4 weeks you have:…
Treatment
There is no specific treatment for AFM. You may be referred to a doctor specializing in disorders of the nerves and nervous system (neurologist). The doctor will likely treat your symptoms. A number of medicines and treatments that work on the immune system have been tried but have not been found to help. You may need…
Outlook (Prognosis)
The long-term outlook of AFM is not known.
Possible Complications
Complications of AFM include: Muscle weakness and paralysis Loss of limb function
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Contact your provider right away if you or your child have: Sudden weakness in the arms or legs or difficulty moving the head or face Any other symptom of AFM
Prevention
There is no known way to prevent AFM. Having a polio vaccine may help reduce the risk of AFM related to the poliovirus. Take these steps to help avoid viral infections: Wash hands frequently with soap and water, especially before eating. Avoid close contact with people who have a viral infection. Use mosquito…
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Acute flaccid myelitis. www.cdc.gov/acute-flaccid-myelitis/index.html . Updated June 21, 2022. Accessed December 2, 2022. Kapadia RK, Pastula DM, Glaser CA. Parainfectious and postinfectious neurologic syndromes. In: Long SS, Prober CG, Fischer M, Kimberlin DW, eds.…
This is a summary. Read the full article at www.ucsfbenioffchildrens.org (reviewed 02/11/2022).
This page is general information and is not medical advice. It does not replace a registered doctor, and it is not a prescription or a recommendation to use any medicine or test. Prices are listed prices and may change. Always follow the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.