Symptoms in your legs could be sign of silent killer leaving hundreds paralysed

29 July 2023 , 06:08

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A key symptom of the illness is numbness in your legs (Image: Getty Images/Cavan Images RF)

A symptom in your legs could be a sign of a rare silent killer that's left hundreds of people paralysed. Officials have declared a national health emergency in Peru after 231 people were taken ill by Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS).

So far, four people have died of the deadly illness that sees a person's immune system attack the peripheral nerves, resulting in muscle weakness, loss of sensation in the limbs and problems swallowing or breathing. Symptoms include weakness or tingling sensations which usually start in the legs and can spread to the arms and face as the first sign of infection.

The highest number of cases, as of two weeks ago, were reported in the capital Lima and all ages have been affected with the average age of patients being 41, according to the Pan American Health Organisation. While GBS cannot be spread from person to person, experts say it’s essential to focus on your hand hygiene and food choices if you’re travelling to areas with Guillain-Barré caused by bacterial infections.

The World Health Organisation has said: "Guillain-Barré syndrome is potentially life-threatening. GBS patients should be hospitalized so that they can be monitored closely. Supportive care includes monitoring of breathing, heartbeat and blood pressure.

"In cases where a person's ability to breathe is impaired, he or she is usually put on a ventilator. All GBS patients should be monitored for complications, which can include abnormal heart beat, infections, blood clots, and high or low blood pressure.

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"There is no known cure for GBS, but treatments can help improve symptoms of GBS and shorten its duration. Given the autoimmune nature of the disease, its acute phase is typically treated with immunotherapy, such as plasma exchange to remove antibodies from the blood or intravenous immunoglobulin. It is most often beneficial when initiated 7 to 14 days after symptoms appear.

"In cases where muscle weakness persists after the acute phase of the illness, patients may require rehabilitation services to strengthen their muscles and restore movement."

Peru has also been battling a massive Dengue fever outbreak that has reportedly sickened at least 150,000. But that hasn’t been linked to the Guillain-Barré syndrome. The World Health Organisation said: "To date, the potential cause of the unexpected GBS incidence remains under investigation."

Hannah Kane