Guillain-Barre Syndrome is an autoimmune disease and the symptoms are muscle weakness, loss of sensation in legs or arms and problems swallowing or breathing..
| Photo Credit: Representational photo
Seventeen people are undergoing treatment for Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) in different Government General Hospitals (GGHs) in Andhra Pradesh as of Friday, according to the information shared by Health Special Chief Secretary M.T. Krishna Babu.
The GBS patients are undergoing treatment at GGH, Vizianagaram (one person); KGH, Visakhapatnam (5); GGH, Kakinada (4); GGH, Vijayawada (1); GGH, Guntur (5); and GGH Anantapur (1).
As of now, no incidence of GBS cases has been reported from any particular geographical area, village or municipal wards.
Mr. Krishna Babu said that 53 GBS cases were reported in the State between November 1, 2024 and February 14, 2025.
One death owing to GBS has been reported, confirmed Mr. Krishna Babu, adding that a 10-year-old boy hailing from Srikakulam, V. Yuvanthu, succumbed to the disease on February 13.
Srikakulam District Medical and Health Officer P.V. Balamurali Krishna said the boy developed a sore throat on January 30. The next day, he complained of weakness in his legs and was admitted to a private hospital. His weakness increased so much that he could not stand or walk.
“Though he was referred to the King George Hospital (KGH) in Visakhapatnam, his parents shifted him to a private hospital in Srikakulam district, where he died. He was administered with steroids and IV Immunoglobulin. But, his condition had deteriorated by then,” the DMHO said.
“However, there is no need for panic. It is not at all an alarming situation. GBS has always been there. However, the unnecessary panic is because of the outbreak in Pune,” Mr. Krishna Babu told The Hindu, adding that the global mortality sttod at 5% to 7%.
He said the GGHs in Kakinada, Guntur, Kurnool and KGH, Visakhapatnam report 10 to 15 GBS cases on an average every month.
“What we are seeing at present is well within the normal figures. Only 10% to 15% of the GBS patients need ICU treatments, where they need to be administered IV Immunoglobulin,” he said.
All the GGHs have adequate stocks of IV Immunoglobulin and the treatment is covered under NTR Vaidya Seva scheme. “It is a very costly treatment though. Each vial of IV Immunoglobulin (5 mg) comes at ₹5,000. The number of vials required depends on the weight of the individual,” Mr. Krishna Babu said and urged people to report to the nearest GGH if they feel weakness in legs.
Symptoms
“Not being able to walk is a classic indication of GBS,” he added.
The GBS is an autoimmune disease, which could be triggered by infections, vaccinations (rarely), surgery and trauma. The symptoms are muscle weakness, often starting in the legs and spreading to the arms and face, numbness and tingling, and difficulty in walking or swallowing.
Published – February 15, 2025 05:51 am IST
