Guillain-Barré Syndrome: Is it deadly? Doctors explain the risk of death and who are most vulnerable

Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) cases are on the rise in Pune and the nearby areas. According to the latest report, a man suspected to have contracted the condition has died in Maharashtra's Solapur district, said the health officials in a news agency, PTI.?

As per the report, the deceased, who died in his native Solapur, visited Pune, where he was suspected to have contracted the disease. The death is possibly the first death caused by GBS, an immunological nerve disorder, in Maharashtra. The first suspected death has mounted fear among people, but is Guillain-Barré syndrome deadly??

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a type of rare condition where your body’s immune system mistakenly starts to attack its own nerves. “This is often triggered by an infection, often respiratory or gastrointestinal. Those diagnosed with this condition can experience a range of symptoms such as tingling sensation in the hands or feet, rapidly progressive muscle weakness of the arms and legs, difficulty in walking, problems with coordination, shortness of breath, slow reflexes, drooping face muscles, or double vision,” says Dr. Pankaj Agarwal, Head of the Department of Neurology, Gleneagles Hospital Parel Mumbai.?

Risk of death from Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)

Some people may recover fully if they are treated promptly, but others might suffer from long-lasting nerve damage. Dr. Agarwal, “The risk of death due to GBS is very low if treated in time. Individuals are advised to immediately consult a doctor if they start experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned before for timely diagnosis and prompt medical intervention.” GBS recovers fully in almost all cases if diagnosed and treated in time.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) majorly impacts people of all ages, but it is more commonly seen in children, adults, and older age groups.?

Guillain-Barré Syndrome:?Which Groups Are Most Vulnerable??

According to Dr. Jagdish Kathwate, consultant neonatologist & paediatrician, Motherhood Hospital, Kharadi, Pune, “Guillain-Barré syndrome cases are most commonly reported in children and teenagers, and risk factors for this condition are infections, including respiratory or gastrointestinal infections (like Campylobacter jejuni), some viral infections like Epstein-Barr virus, Zika virus, or influenza, and, in rare cases, recent surgeries.”

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