The year 2020 has been unexpectantly disastrous in many ways. The outbreak of COVID-19 has led to an increase in various unknown diseases and unknown factors to it.
Amidst the constant search for a vaccine to defend the body from viruses, The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in a very recent statement declared of an up and coming rare form of disease Known as Acute Flaccid Myelitis.
During these tough times, physicians and various specialists are advising people to make an extra effort in looking after their health and hygiene. When it comes to taking tips and practicing a consistent lifestyle that maintains the smooth functioning of our immunity, we are doing everything that is required.
Some rare forms of viruses as the one like Polio Virus remains a mystery even to the experts, and the only solution remains to get vaccinated at an appropriate period.
If one goes by the report of CDC, it is comprehensible that 2020 once again, would bring in the threat of Acute Flaccid Myelitis. The need of the hour is to be ready to fight the danger for which awareness is essential.
What is Acute Flaccid Myelitis?
Acute Flaccid Myelitis is a severe condition affecting the neurological conditioning of the body. If we are to look inside the CDCs report, this disease possibly affects the children in the majority.
Acute Flaccid condition affects the Spinal cord where it ruptures the ‘Gray matter’ that is responsible for sending signals from the brain to the body for motor functioning purposes and vice versa.
The condition makes the muscles of the body severely weak, which leads to loss of muscle tone in return. The illness could affect more than one part of the body. Since the Gray matter in the spinal cord is the one getting damaged, the reflexes stop working any more, which ultimately leads to paralysis.
Experts believe up till now that Acute Flaccid Myelitis is somewhat similar to Polio infection in children, but that seems only to affect legs and the ability to walk. In contrast, AFM could affect any part of the body. Although science was able to eradicate poliovirus with the help of vaccines, AFM remains a challenge to be solved.
When the number of reported cases each year is observed, the conclusion made states that AFM occurred when an individual (Children, in most cases) is attacked by a specific form of viral infection, which seems to target the spinal cord disrupting the motor functioning ability.
People have misunderstood the very disease from so many years. When AFM occurs in a child, the widespread misconception remains that the disease has affected the muscle. Still, due to the virus destroying the spinal cord, the motor functions stop working efficiently, resulting in no hand or leg movements.
Doctors, after careful observation, have come to terms with a kind of virus- enteroviruses affecting the spinal cord in a few of the cases. Other reasons could be Lymn Disease in an individual causing AFM.
What are the significant Symptoms?
The cause of Acute Flaccid Myelitis isn’t precise till now. Experts haven’t been able to identify why does the enterovirus attacks only the spinal cord, which makes it a mystery disease. Although the polio vaccine can help prevent this disease, the virus might still affect the spinal cord wrecking it.
AFM’s arrival is very sudden and uncertain, but specific symptoms which indicate the need to take your child to a specialist are inclusive of:
- A common sign of AFMs occurrence is a weakness in the muscle and loss of reflexes
- Unable to swallow
- The feeling of numbness or tingling
- In rare cases, the individual might not be able to pass urine
- Drooping of face and weakness
- Unable to breathe and speak properly
- Pain in legs and arms
- overactive bladder (Bowel or bladder control issues)
- the inability of eye movements
Also, if a child suffering from polio is affected by AFM, the following rare symptoms could be visible:
- Feeling of Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Sore Throat
- Fatigue
- Back Pain
- Headache
Diagnosis and Prevention
The research has proved that not all the children who are affected with AFMs are prone to paralysis. Only 1 out of 100 suffer from the same. When a child or an individual suffers from polio, the physician might prefer taking a sample of their stool and swab of the throat. But in the case of AFM, a physician might find difficulty in diagnosing the same.
The doctor would call for an MRI scan for diagnosing AFM and get a closer look inside the brain and spinal cord because, similar to other diseases, AFM has a connection with our brain and nervous system, such as Guillain-Barre Syndrome.
The fluid around the brain and spinal cord, which is known as Spinal tap or Lumbar puncture, is tested by the physician. The specialist also looks into the muscle reflexes and tone.
There has not been any growth or development in curing this disease but a polio vaccine to a child at the age of 2 months, four months, 18 months, and then from 4 till six years is necessary.
Even after coping with the virus, the symptoms remain for a more extended period in life, which requires therapies to be practiced, such as physical and occupational therapy.
The children who have difficulty in breathing might have to use a ventilator. The experts are still putting their efforts and experimenting with bringing out an effective drug to combat with AFM.
