You're Offline
The page will automatically refresh once you get online
Guillain-Barré syndrome affects your senses, your movement and things such as breathing and your heartbeat.
It usually affects your arms and legs first before you get symptoms in other parts of your body.
Symptoms usually get worse over the first 2 to 4 weeks.
You might feel tingling, numbness or pins and needles in your feet and hands first. This is usually followed by muscle weakness and difficulty moving your joints.
Other symptoms can include:
Some people’s symptoms become so severe that they are not able to move their legs, arms and face (paralysis).
You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.
Some of the symptoms are common and may be caused by another condition.
Having these symptoms does not definitely mean you have Guillain-Barré syndrome. But it's important to get medical help so your symptoms can be checked.
These could be signs of a stroke and need urgent medical attention.
Do not drive to A&E. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.
Bring any medicine you take with you.
If you have symptoms of Guillain-Barré syndrome, your GP will check your reflexes and will check for any numbness or weakness in your muscles.
If a GP thinks you could have Guillain-Barré syndrome, they'll refer you to a specialist in nerve conditions (neurologist) for tests and treatment. You may have tests such as:
If you've been diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, you'll be treated in hospital straight away. You'll usually be in hospital for several weeks. Some people may need to stay for several months.
Your main treatment will be immunotherapy to stop your immune system from attacking your nerves. You'll either have intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) or plasma exchange.
You'll also have treatment to help manage your symptoms and monitor your condition. You might need:
You may be in hospital for several months while you have treatment and recover from Guillain-Barré syndrome.
Most people will be able to walk within 6 months and will recover within a year.
Some people continue to have longer-term problems such as:
You may be offered:
Your doctor will check you every few months after you recover. You'll then have checks once a year, because some people can become unwell again and need more treatment.
Guillain-Barré syndrome can be life-threatening and cannot always be cured. The chance of dying is higher in older people or people who have had severe symptoms.
It's not known what causes Guillain-Barré syndrome, but it's thought to be caused by problems with the immune system.
It usually starts within a few weeks of an infection, such as flu or a stomach bug.
When you get an infection, your immune system normally attacks and kills the bacteria or virus. But in Guillain-Barré syndrome the immune system starts to attack your nerves.
Guillain-Barré syndrome can affect anyone, but it's more common in adults and males.
Having Guillain-Barré syndrome can affect your mental health. It might help to talk about how you're feeling.
You can access talking therapies for free on the NHS. These services can help you find ways to cope.
Help is available in person, by video, over the phone or as an online course.
You can also get support from charities such as Guillain-Barré & Associated Inflammatory Neuropathies (GAIN).
