Guillain Barre Syndrome Associated With Covid-19: Learn More

Covid-19, also known as coronavirus, is a life-threatening disease that shook our lives earlier this year. The crisis has put each of us at risk of getting infections. To add to the dilemma, viral disease can lead to various complications, including diabetes, heart disease, pulmonary fibrosis, etc. The last complication associated with the disease is Guillain Barre syndrome. According to reports, some Covid-19 patients have lost their lives due to this new complication called Guillain Barre syndrome (GBS). Also Read – Silent Hypoxia: Scientists Solve Mystery Behind This Life-Threatening Complication Of COVID-19

What is Guillain Barre Syndrome?

Dr Pankaj Agarwal, Senior Consultant – Neurology, Head – Movement Disorders Clinic and In-charge – DBS program, Global Hospital, Mumbai, defines GBS as an “autoimmune disease in which our body’s immune system goes into overdrive and begins to mistakenly attack the nerves in our hands and legs, leading to sudden paralysis.” Also read – Patients with BP and diabetes at increased risk for COVID-19 neuro complications

The disorder can be triggered by any “viral infection, both respiratory and gastrointestinal. People can go from a normal state to a paralyzed state within 2-3 days and, in severe cases, breathing can be compromised, requiring ventilator support. “ Read also – COVID-19 treatment: fluvoxamine antidepressant drug can prevent hospitalization

The disease can also affect other organs such as the lungs, respiratory tract including the heart, kidneys, brain and gastrointestinal tract.

Guillain Barre Syndrome Symptoms

In this syndrome, your immune system starts attacking your nervous system and sends your body into a state of paralysis. The tingling sensation in the toes, feet and legs is the first symptom you may experience. Other symptoms may include:

• Tingling sensations in the limbs
• Muscle weakness
• Difficulty walking
• Severe back pain
• Loss of bladder control
• Rapid heart rate
• Difficulty in breathing
• Unable to move eyes or face

How can it be treated?

This autoimmune inflammatory disease can resolve on its own. However, the patient must remain in a hospital under close observation to overcome the symptoms of this deadly disease.

Dr Kedar Toraskar, Head of Intensive Care, Wockhardt Hospital, South Bombay, explains that this Covid-19-associated disease can be “potentially life-threatening and may require mechanical ventilatory support. If diagnosed and treated in time with intravenous immunoglobulin (IV IGg) or plasmapheresis, life-threatening complications can be avoided. “

Antibodies are a type of protein produced by the immune system that protects our body from foreign substances, such as bacteria and viruses. When a person suffers from Guillain Barre Syndrome, the immune system mistakenly makes antibodies attack healthy nerves.

Plasmapheresis helps remove these antibodies, from attacking the nerves. Intravenous immunoglobulin, on the other hand, is a blood product prepared from donor sera. It contains healthy antibodies that block other antibodies that cause GBS.

Treatment aims to support lung function and reduce the severity of the immune attack while the nervous system recovers.

Published: November 22, 2020 6:33 pm