Guillain-Barre Syndrome

Summary

Guillain-Barre syndrome is a rare disorder that causes your immune system to attack your peripheral nervous system (PNS). The PNS nerves connect your brain and spinal cord with the rest of your body. Damage to these nerves makes it hard for them to transmit signals. As a result, your muscles have trouble responding to your brain. No one knows what causes the syndrome. Sometimes it is triggered by an infection, surgery, or a vaccination.

The first symptom is usually weakness or a tingling feeling in your legs. The feeling can spread to your upper body. In severe cases, you become almost paralyzed. This is life-threatening. You might need a respirator to breathe. Symptoms usually worsen over a period of weeks and then stabilize.

Guillain-Barre can be hard to diagnose. Possible tests include nerve tests and a spinal tap. Most people recover. Recovery can take a few weeks to a few years. Treatment can help symptoms, and may include medicines or a procedure called plasma exchange.

NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Find an Expert

• Autoimmune Association Autoimmune Association
• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Children

• Caring for a Child with Guillain-Barré Syndrome or CIDP GBS/CIDP Foundation International

Patient Handouts

• Cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) collection Medical Encyclopedia
• Guillain-Barre syndrome Medical Encyclopedia

Diagnosis and Tests

• Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Analysis National Library of Medicine

Specifics

• Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
• Miller Fisher Syndrome GBS/CIDP Foundation International
• Miller Fisher Syndrome National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Guillain-Barre Syndrome National Institutes of Health

Start Here

• Guillain-Barre Syndrome Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Guillain-Barré Syndrome National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Related Issues

• Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) and Flu Vaccine Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Guillain-Barré Syndrome and Menactra Meningococcal Vaccine FAQs Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Zika and Guillain-Barré Syndrome Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Genetics

• Guillain-Barré syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine

Journal Articles

• Guillain-Barre Syndrome