Peru has declared a national emergency amid a surge in cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), a rare neurological disorder. The government has taken emergency measures, including the procurement of intravenous immunoglobulin and human albumin, as well as the implementation of specialized diagnostics for identifying the biological agents associated with the syndrome. Arrangements are also being made for air-assisted transportation of patients in critical or emergency conditions.
GBS is characterized by an immune system response that mistakenly attacks the nervous system. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, and may include numbness or tingling in the hands or feet, back pain, muscle weakness, difficulty breathing, swallowing, and heart rate and blood pressure problems.
There is no cure for GBS, but there are two treatments that can reduce the severity of the disease: plasma exchange and intravenous immunoglobulin therapy. Plasma exchange involves extracting a portion of blood using a catheter and returning it after removing the plasma. Intravenous immunoglobulin therapy involves injecting immunoglobulin, which are naturally produced proteins by the immune system to combat infecting organisms.
Even after full recovery, some patients with GBS may experience lingering weakness or long-term complications.
Peru has declared a national emergency amid a surge in cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), a rare neurological disorder. The government has taken emergency measures, including the procurement of intravenous immunoglobulin and human albumin, as well as the implementation of specialized diagnostics for identifying the biological agents associated with the syndrome. Arrangements are also being made for air-assisted transportation of patients in critical or emergency conditions.
GBS is characterized by an immune system response that mistakenly attacks the nervous system. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, and may include numbness or tingling in the hands or feet, back pain, muscle weakness, difficulty breathing, swallowing, and heart rate and blood pressure problems.
There is no cure for GBS, but there are two treatments that can reduce the severity of the disease: plasma exchange and intravenous immunoglobulin therapy. Plasma exchange involves extracting a portion of blood using a catheter and returning it after removing the plasma. Intravenous immunoglobulin therapy involves injecting immunoglobulin, which are naturally produced proteins by the immune system to combat infecting organisms.
Even after full recovery, some patients with GBS may experience lingering weakness or long-term complications.