Guillain-Barre syndrome

3-minute read

Key facts

Guillain-Barre syndrome is a rare disease where your immune system attacks your nerves (this is known as an autoimmune condition).
The cause of Guillain-Barre syndrome is not known, but it usually starts after an infection.
Your illness may start with tingling and weakness in your legs that spreads to your upper body, and some people go on to develop almost complete paralysis.
You may need treatment in hospital.
You’re likely to recover extensively over the first year, though you may continue to experience some symptoms for life.

What is Guillain-Barre syndrome?

Guillain-Barre syndrome (pronounced ghee-yan bah-ray) is a rare illness in which antibodies and immune cells in your body's immune system attack the nerves connecting your brain and spinal cord with the rest of your body. This causes weakness, numbness or paralysis. When the immune system attacks the body, it is called an autoimmune condition. You may need treatment in hospital for some time, but most people with Guillain-Barre syndrome recover well.

What are the symptoms of Guillain-Barre syndrome?

Guillain-Barre syndrome can start in many different ways. It usually begins with tingling or weakness in your legs that may spread to your upper body. In severe illness, symptoms can lead to almost total paralysis.

Other signs and symptoms may include:

difficulty moving (for example, walking or moving your eyes or face)
pain
difficulty controlling your bladder or bowels
a fast heart rate
low or high blood pressure
difficulty breathing or swallowing
blurred vision

CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.

What causes Guillain-Barre syndrome?

The exact cause of Guillain-Barre syndrome is not known, but it usually starts after an infection. Occasionally, it is triggered by surgery.

How is Guillain-Barre syndrome diagnosed?

Your doctor will talk to you and examine you if they think you may have Guillain-Barre syndrome. You may need to see a neurologist and have tests to see how well your nerves are working. You may also need a lumbar puncture, which involves checking the fluid around your spine and brain with a thin needle.

How is Guillain-Barre syndrome treated?

In the early stages, you usually need to be in hospital so doctors can monitor your breathing. You may need to be on a ventilator in an intensive care unit (ICU) to help you breathe.

With time, you usually improve gradually. You are likely to be walking again within 6 months.

Guillain-Barre syndrome can be treated with:

plasma exchange, which involves removing part of your blood and replacing it with plasma from the blood bank
intravenous (IV) immunoglobulin therapy — using antibodies from blood donors to alter your abnormal immune response
medicines to relieve your pain and prevent blood clots
physiotherapy

How long will I have Guillain-Barre syndrome?

Most patients make a full recovery from Guillain-Barre syndrome. Even if you were paralysed or needed a ventilator, you are likely to recover within the first year after symptoms started. Some people have symptoms for life.