Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesIs There a Vaccine Link?DiagnosisTreatmentComplicationsOutlookCopingSeeking Medical Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Is There a Vaccine Link?
Diagnosis
Treatment
Complications
Outlook
Coping
Seeking Medical Care
Severe weakness is the most prominent symptom, sometimes making it hard to breathe. Tingling sensations can be an early warning sign of Guillain-Barré syndrome. Guillain-Barré syndrome affects about 1 out of 100,000 people each year.
There is no cure for the condition, but treatment can help prevent complications and can help you recover. This article covers Guillain-Barré syndrome symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, complications, and long-term outlook.
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Guillain-Barré Syndrome Symptoms
The usual pattern of symptoms in Guillain-Barré syndrome begins with numbness of the feet and leg weakness, progressing to involve the trunk and arms within hours or days.This condition is symmetrical, affecting both sides of the body equally.
People who develop Guillain-Barré syndrome may experience unusual sensations, such as tingling in the legs, before the weakness begins. Thesyndrome has several variants, each with slightly different symptoms, and the variants are defined in a few different ways.
Some of the most commonly described variants of Guillain-Barré syndrome are:
In addition to these distinct types, some people may have Guillain-Barré syndrome with features of several types.
Acute Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (AIDP)
Guillain-Barré Syndrome Causes and Risk Factors
Generally, Guillain-Barré syndrome affects the motor nerves, which control movements. However, this condition can also sometimes affect the sensory nerves, which detect sensory information in your skin.It may affect autonomic nerves, which are the nerves that regulate digestion, heart function, and survival functions that you don’t consciously control.
It’s not possible to predict whether someone will develop Guillain-Barré syndrome, but there are some risk factors and triggers. Most people who are exposed to these triggers do not develop Guillain-Barré syndrome.
Triggers and risk factors include:
There has been some concern about a potential association between Guillain-Barré and certain vaccines, including the flu vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine.
Medical case reports describe some episodes of Guillain-Barré that appear to occur after people have received vaccines.The case reports include people who have received flu vaccines, varicella zoster vaccine, DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis) vaccine,and the COVID-19 vaccine.
However, studies that have examined large populations have noted a decrease in Guillain-Barré in association with vaccines—which is believed to be due to the decrease in viral infections.
Johnson & Johnson Vaccine to Include Warning About Guillain-Barré Syndrome
How Guillain-Barré Syndrome Is Diagnosed
Thediagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndromeinvolves a history of symptoms, a physical exam, and possibly diagnostic tests. The condition can worsen rapidly, and it can be dangerous, so your healthcare team might begin treatment even before a firm diagnosis is established.
A neurologist will likely see you if you have signs and symptoms of this condition. During your physical exam, the neurologist will check your muscle strength, which would be weak if you have Guillain-Barré syndrome. Reflexes in your arms and legs would be diminished or completely absent.
Tests you might need include:
Guillain-Barré Syndrome Treatment
If you have Guillain-Barré syndrome, you will need prompt treatment, as well as close medical observation. Treatment is used to help lower the immune attack on the nerves. You might also need treatment for complications, such as blood clots or breathing difficulty. After recovery, you might need physical therapy to strengthen your muscles.
Plasmapheresis (Plasma Exchange)
Plasma exchange treatmentis done in a hospital setting. You would have an intravenous line placed in a vein for the removal of your blood. Its aim is to reduce the harmful antibodies in your bloodstream that are attacking your nerves.
The blood runs through a machine that separates the liquid portion of the blood (plasma) from the blood cell components. The plasma is replaced with a plasma substitute and the cells and plasma substitute returned to you in an intravenous line.
The process can speed up the recovery, and it may reduce the severity of your condition.
Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG)
This is an immune treatment that is given to provide normal immune proteins (antibodies). These inhibit or block the destructive immune response attacking the myelin in Guillain-Barré syndrome.
Other Treatments
Other treatments that can be used in this condition may be directed towards managing symptoms and complications.
Examples include:
Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS): Everything You Need to Know
Potential Complications
During your treatment with plasmapheresis or IVIG, you would need to be monitored closely in case you start to develop any complications.
Complications may include:
Each of these complications could cause serious long-term problems and may be life-threatening. Your medical team would work to prevent these complications, monitor for any early signs of these complications, and treat them if they arise.
Long-Term Outlook for People With Guillain-Barré Syndrome
Most people have almost a full recovery after the acute stage of Guillain-Barré syndrome. You will likely need physical therapy after the acute phase to strengthen your muscles. After recovery, most people have some long-term residual weakness.
It’s impossible to predict with certainty whether you will have a full recovery or whether you will have significant disability after a bout of Guillain-Barré syndrome. Some factors that are associated with better recovery include younger age, early treatment shortly after symptoms began, no face or neck weakness, not experiencing diarrhea, and no autonomic nerve involvement.
Coping With Guillain-Barré Syndrome
It can be stressful while you are in the acute phase of weakness from Guillain-Barré syndrome. It’s important that you tell your healthcare team about any changes in your symptoms—including unusual sensations, increased weakness, discomfort, or shortness of breath.
You can ask any questions about your treatment during this time so that you can understand your condition and know what to expect. But it’s important that you also rest while you are recovering.
If you have some weakness after the acute phase of the disease, you may need to make adjustments in your life. Adjustments might include using a cane or brace or getting help with your day-to-day tasks. You could benefit from working with an occupational therapist, who could advise you about your limitations and how to manage them.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If you develop any symptoms of weakness, sensory changes, or shortness of breath, it’s crucial that you get medical attention right away. These symptoms could indicate Guillain-Barré syndrome or another serious medical condition.
Signs and symptoms include:
Summary
While complications can potentially make it fatal, treatment can be lifesaving. The treatments include immune therapies to reduce the autoimmune process, as well as interventions to manage the symptoms and complications.
Most people experience almost a full recovery, often with mild to moderate residual weakness. You will likely need physical therapy after the acute phase, and you might need to make some adjustments if you have persistent weakness.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Guillain-Barré syndrome.Habib AA, Waheed W.Guillain-Barré syndrome.Continuum (Minneap Minn). 2023;29(5):1327-1356. doi:10.1212/CON.0000000000001289Noioso CM, Bevilacqua L, Acerra GM, et al.Miller Fisher syndrome: an updated narrative review.Front Neurol.2023;14:1250774. doi:10.3389/fneur.2023.1250774Khedr EM, Mahmoud DM, Ahmed GK, Haridy NA.Predictors of long-term health-related quality of life in Guillain-Barré syndrome: a hospital-based study.Clin Neurol Neurosurg.2023;235:108026. doi:10.1016/j.clineuro.2023.108026Bishara H, Arbel A, Barnett-Griness O, et al.Association between Guillain-Barré Syndrome and COVID-19 infection and vaccination: a population-based nested case-control study.Neurology.2023:10.1212/WNL.0000000000207900. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000207900Le Vu S, Bertrand M, Botton J, et al.Risk of Guillain-Barré Syndrome following COVID-19 vaccines: a nationwide self-controlled case series study.Neurology.2023:10.1212/WNL.0000000000207847. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000207847Pan M, Sun T, Zhu W, Liu H, Dong H.Guillain Barré syndrome after combined diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine: a rare pediatric case report and review of literature.Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2023;19(2):2261199. doi:10.1080/21645515.2023.2261199van Doorn PA, Van den Bergh PYK, Hadden RDM, et al.European Academy of Neurology/Peripheral Nerve Society guideline on diagnosis and treatment of Guillain-Barré syndrome.J Peripher Nerv Syst. 2023 Oct 10. doi:10.1111/jns.12594Chevret S, Hughes RA, Annane D.Plasma exchange for Guillain-Barré syndrome.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;2(2):CD001798. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001798.pub3Shang P, Feng J, Wu W, Zhang HL.Intensive care and treatment of severe Guillain-Barré syndrome.Front Pharmacol. 2021;12:608130. doi:10.3389/fphar.2021.608130
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Guillain-Barré syndrome.Habib AA, Waheed W.Guillain-Barré syndrome.Continuum (Minneap Minn). 2023;29(5):1327-1356. doi:10.1212/CON.0000000000001289Noioso CM, Bevilacqua L, Acerra GM, et al.Miller Fisher syndrome: an updated narrative review.Front Neurol.2023;14:1250774. doi:10.3389/fneur.2023.1250774Khedr EM, Mahmoud DM, Ahmed GK, Haridy NA.Predictors of long-term health-related quality of life in Guillain-Barré syndrome: a hospital-based study.Clin Neurol Neurosurg.2023;235:108026. doi:10.1016/j.clineuro.2023.108026Bishara H, Arbel A, Barnett-Griness O, et al.Association between Guillain-Barré Syndrome and COVID-19 infection and vaccination: a population-based nested case-control study.Neurology.2023:10.1212/WNL.0000000000207900. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000207900Le Vu S, Bertrand M, Botton J, et al.Risk of Guillain-Barré Syndrome following COVID-19 vaccines: a nationwide self-controlled case series study.Neurology.2023:10.1212/WNL.0000000000207847. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000207847Pan M, Sun T, Zhu W, Liu H, Dong H.Guillain Barré syndrome after combined diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine: a rare pediatric case report and review of literature.Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2023;19(2):2261199. doi:10.1080/21645515.2023.2261199van Doorn PA, Van den Bergh PYK, Hadden RDM, et al.European Academy of Neurology/Peripheral Nerve Society guideline on diagnosis and treatment of Guillain-Barré syndrome.J Peripher Nerv Syst. 2023 Oct 10. doi:10.1111/jns.12594Chevret S, Hughes RA, Annane D.Plasma exchange for Guillain-Barré syndrome.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;2(2):CD001798. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001798.pub3Shang P, Feng J, Wu W, Zhang HL.Intensive care and treatment of severe Guillain-Barré syndrome.Front Pharmacol. 2021;12:608130. doi:10.3389/fphar.2021.608130
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Guillain-Barré syndrome.Habib AA, Waheed W.Guillain-Barré syndrome.Continuum (Minneap Minn). 2023;29(5):1327-1356. doi:10.1212/CON.0000000000001289Noioso CM, Bevilacqua L, Acerra GM, et al.Miller Fisher syndrome: an updated narrative review.Front Neurol.2023;14:1250774. doi:10.3389/fneur.2023.1250774Khedr EM, Mahmoud DM, Ahmed GK, Haridy NA.Predictors of long-term health-related quality of life in Guillain-Barré syndrome: a hospital-based study.Clin Neurol Neurosurg.2023;235:108026. doi:10.1016/j.clineuro.2023.108026Bishara H, Arbel A, Barnett-Griness O, et al.Association between Guillain-Barré Syndrome and COVID-19 infection and vaccination: a population-based nested case-control study.Neurology.2023:10.1212/WNL.0000000000207900. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000207900Le Vu S, Bertrand M, Botton J, et al.Risk of Guillain-Barré Syndrome following COVID-19 vaccines: a nationwide self-controlled case series study.Neurology.2023:10.1212/WNL.0000000000207847. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000207847Pan M, Sun T, Zhu W, Liu H, Dong H.Guillain Barré syndrome after combined diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine: a rare pediatric case report and review of literature.Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2023;19(2):2261199. doi:10.1080/21645515.2023.2261199van Doorn PA, Van den Bergh PYK, Hadden RDM, et al.European Academy of Neurology/Peripheral Nerve Society guideline on diagnosis and treatment of Guillain-Barré syndrome.J Peripher Nerv Syst. 2023 Oct 10. doi:10.1111/jns.12594Chevret S, Hughes RA, Annane D.Plasma exchange for Guillain-Barré syndrome.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;2(2):CD001798. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001798.pub3Shang P, Feng J, Wu W, Zhang HL.Intensive care and treatment of severe Guillain-Barré syndrome.Front Pharmacol. 2021;12:608130. doi:10.3389/fphar.2021.608130
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Guillain-Barré syndrome.
Habib AA, Waheed W.Guillain-Barré syndrome.Continuum (Minneap Minn). 2023;29(5):1327-1356. doi:10.1212/CON.0000000000001289
Noioso CM, Bevilacqua L, Acerra GM, et al.Miller Fisher syndrome: an updated narrative review.Front Neurol.2023;14:1250774. doi:10.3389/fneur.2023.1250774
Khedr EM, Mahmoud DM, Ahmed GK, Haridy NA.Predictors of long-term health-related quality of life in Guillain-Barré syndrome: a hospital-based study.Clin Neurol Neurosurg.2023;235:108026. doi:10.1016/j.clineuro.2023.108026
Bishara H, Arbel A, Barnett-Griness O, et al.Association between Guillain-Barré Syndrome and COVID-19 infection and vaccination: a population-based nested case-control study.Neurology.2023:10.1212/WNL.0000000000207900. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000207900
Le Vu S, Bertrand M, Botton J, et al.Risk of Guillain-Barré Syndrome following COVID-19 vaccines: a nationwide self-controlled case series study.Neurology.2023:10.1212/WNL.0000000000207847. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000207847
Pan M, Sun T, Zhu W, Liu H, Dong H.Guillain Barré syndrome after combined diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine: a rare pediatric case report and review of literature.Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2023;19(2):2261199. doi:10.1080/21645515.2023.2261199
van Doorn PA, Van den Bergh PYK, Hadden RDM, et al.European Academy of Neurology/Peripheral Nerve Society guideline on diagnosis and treatment of Guillain-Barré syndrome.J Peripher Nerv Syst. 2023 Oct 10. doi:10.1111/jns.12594
Chevret S, Hughes RA, Annane D.Plasma exchange for Guillain-Barré syndrome.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;2(2):CD001798. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001798.pub3
Shang P, Feng J, Wu W, Zhang HL.Intensive care and treatment of severe Guillain-Barré syndrome.Front Pharmacol. 2021;12:608130. doi:10.3389/fphar.2021.608130
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