Guillian Barre Syndrome

GBS occurs when a person’s body attacks a virus, but some how gets confused and the immune system begins to attack the nerve bases at the spinal cord instead. In this way, it is a hyper-immunity. This causes paralysis from the bottom up and as it progresses it can cause paralysis of the diaphragm or heart muscles. GBS is a temporary condition that usually resolves itself, but given the dangers of it interfering with the involuntary functions that keep us alive, they now perform treatment and hospital observation. 30% of patients require a ventilator to keep them breathing while the body repairs the loss of its nerves and regains movement of the affected muscles. The treatment involves IVIG, which means they administer immunoglobulin (blood donor antibodies) intravenously. In most cases, like William’s, they administer 5 doses over as many days. The faster they can flood the body with antibodies, the more effective it is, but side effects can prevent them from administering it as quickly as they would like.