Rochester Regional Health Logo
COVID-19 UpdatesFind a DoctorPay My Bill Donate icon Give
Health Hive logo
  1. Topics
    • COVID-19
    • Primary Care
    • Parents & Kids
    • Women's Health
    • Cancer Care
    • Brain & Spine
    • Surgery
    • Bone & Joint
    • View All Topics
  2. Patient Stories
  3. News
  4. About
Rochester Regional Health Logo
COVID-19 UpdatesFind a DoctorPay My Bill Donate icon Give
COVID-19
  1. What Is Guillain Barre Syndrome?

What Is Guillain Barre Syndrome?

This exceedingly rare neurological disorder affects approximately 1 in 100,000 people in the U.S. Our experts explain what it is and how it is treated.

Aug. 9, 2021 • 4   min read

The FDA recently announced patients who received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine have an increased risk of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) within six weeks of receiving their dose. Data on the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines have not found this risk so far.

David Gill, MD, a neurologist with Rochester Regional Health, and Emil Lesho, DO, an infectious disease specialist with Rochester Regional Health, discuss the syndrome and how it is treated.

What is GBS and what causes it?

Guillain-Barre syndrome is a very rare autoimmune disorder that causes the body’s immune system to attack the nerves. There are 3,000-6,000 people diagnosed with the disorder each year in the United States; this affects approximately one in every 100,000 people.

People who suffer from the condition can experience varying degrees of muscle weakness. In some cases, symptoms can spread rapidly through the body and worsen if they are not treated quickly.

“Guillain Barre syndrome is not a hereditary or contagious condition,” Dr. Gill said.

What puts you at risk for GBS?

There are several factors that can increase a person’s risk for Guillain Barre syndrome. People of all ages have been shown to contract the disorder; however, men who are over the age of 50 have a slightly more elevated risk when it comes to the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.

Some people have developed Guillain Barre syndrome after certain illnesses, including influenza and infectious diarrhea caused by Campylobacter jejuni.

There have been some cases of Guillain Barre associated with COVID-19.

According to the CDC, two-thirds of Guillain Barre cases occur following a respiratory illness or diarrhea. Some have developed the syndrome following a surgery. In exceptionally rare cases, certain vaccines can increase the risk of Guillain Barre syndrome. Those include the shingles and influenza vaccines.

“The number of cases of Guillain Barre syndrome linked to vaccines are very low,” Dr. Lesho said. “The protections that vaccines can give a person when it comes to dangerous illnesses and diseases vastly outweigh the risk of other complications.”

What are GBS symptoms?

Since Guillain-Barre syndrome attacks the body’s nerves, it often begins with a tingling sensation in a person’s legs. The sensation then spreads throughout the body and leads to continued tingling, muscle weakness, and can include difficulty breathing.

Other symptoms include:

  • Lack of coordination
  • Having a hard time chewing, swallowing, or speaking
  • Having a hard time with eye muscles
  • Atypical heart beat
  • Change in blood pressure

The National Institutes of Health states most people are at their weakest within two weeks of symptoms first developing.

What is the treatments for GBS?

There is no known cure for Guillain Barre syndrome. Treatments vary and can include plasma exchanges and high-dose immunoglobulin therapy, according to the CDC.

One of the most important aspects of treatment is ensuring a patient’s breathing can continue, which could mean putting them on a ventilator if the weakness spreads to muscles that control breathing.

“The earlier a patient can tell us what they are experiencing, the quicker we can help them,” Dr. Gill said. “Time is important when diagnosing and treating this condition.”

Most people are able to recover fully, but the time it takes for a person to recover will vary. Some who have GBS will have permanent nerve damage. In a very small number of cases, people have died from the disorder.

NEXT STEPS Golisano Restorative Neurology & Rehabilitation Center

Our staff of providers and clinicians at the Golisano Restorative Neurology & Rehabilitation Center have the experience and compassion to help every patient along the best possible path to recovery.

Learn More
covid19 icon
ProviderPromo
David J. Gill, MD
Neurology
View Profile
ProviderPromo
Emil P. Lesho, DO
Internal Medicine, Infectious Disease
View Profile
Recent Articles
Health Hive
Men’s Health Screenings at Every Age

Taking care of our bodies and minds is important at every age. During Men’s Health Month, we break down the recommended health screenings for men across all age groups.

Patient Stories
Rob Pinson's Story

Over the course of a few months, Rob Pinson went from relatively healthy to undergoing cancer treatment. The staff at the Lipson Cancer Institute were there for him every step of the way.

Neurology
Risk Factors for Stroke in Women

Strokes are among the top 3 causes of death for women in the United States. If you know the risks, you have a better chance at reducing or preventing your risk of stroke.

Parents & Kids
Hepatitis in Children: What Parents Should Know

An unusual surge in severe hepatitis cases in children is leading pediatricians to be on the lookout for symptoms in their patients. Steven Schulz, MD, explains the disease and what to look for.

Get Email Updates

Sign up for our Health Hive newsletter to receive our top stories and tips to help you live a longer, healthier life.

Thanks! We've added you to our Health Hive newsletter
Enhancing Lives. Preserving Health.
Contact Us

Your Care

  • Closings & Cancellationss
  • Find a Doctor
  • Find a Location
  • Billing & Insurance
  • Classes & Events
  • Health Hive - News Hub
  • Our Services
  • Closings & Cancellations

Company

  • Careers
  • About Us
  • ACM Global Laboratories
  • Contact Us
  • Diversity and Inclusion
  • ElderONE
  • Volunteer
  • GRIPA
  • Media and Public Relations
  • Quality and Safety
  • Sustainability

Resources

  • Workday
  • Employees
  • Healthcare Professionals
  • Make a Gift
  • Medical Education & Research
  • MyCare
  • Sponsorships
Rochester Regional Health Logo
© 2022 Rochester Regional Health. All Rights Reserved.
  • Non Discrimination
  • Disclaimer
  • Language Assistance
  • Privacy Policy