Everything parents need to know about acute flaccid myelitis, the polio-like, paralyzing illness affecting young children
For a parent, the headlines with news about the latest cases of acute flaccid myelitis, a polio-like illness that seems to be targeting young children with symptoms that include weakness and even paralysis, are kind of terrifying.
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For a parent, the headlines with news about the latest cases of acute flaccid myelitis, a polio-like illness that seems to be targeting young children with symptoms that include weakness and even paralysis, are kind of terrifying.
So, is this the point when parents need to start freaking out?
The short answer, says Dr. Lugo, to the question on parents' minds is this: No, they do not need to be freaking out about acute flaccid myelitis, or AFM, as it's also called. While it certainly is serious, it also is extremely rare, she says. What's more, there are some pretty simple steps we can take to help protect our kids from AFM and other viruses.
Here's my Q&A with Dr. Lugo that details just about everything parents need to know about acute flaccid myelitis.
What is acute flaccid myelitis?
What do we know about AFM?
We are unclear about the exact cause, as it is likely that not all cases of AFM are caused by the same thing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating viruses and environmental toxins as possible causes.
Most cases occur in the summer and fall.
The cause is still unclear, and it is still unclear why some people may develop AFM after similar exposures. There may also be a genetic component that makes some people more susceptible.
It’s been called polio-like, but is it related to polio?
It is possible that other viruses that are closely related to poliovirus called enteroviruses, may be linked to some of the cases of AFM, and the CDC is actively investigating this link. In 2014, the increase of AFM coincided with an outbreak of a severe respiratory illness caused by enterovirus D68. But this virus was not detected in all patients with AFM that year.
In 2015, there was a decreased amount of enterovirus D68 circulating, but there were still some cases of AFM. This year, there has again been a spike in AFM, but it is unclear if there has been an increase in certain strains of enterovirus. The CDC is actively investigating all cases of AFM.
However, it is important to note there are also other viruses that may sometimes lead to AFM, including West Nile Virus, which is not similar to poliovirus.
It is also very important to note that most infections with viruses, including enteroviruses and West Nile Virus, do not result in AFM. This is a very RARE complication that occurs only in a small percentage of children. Enteroviruses are typically associated with common cold symptoms, and an overwhelming majority of patients infected with enteroviruses will have no symptoms or mild symptoms that may include cough and runny nose.
Who is being diagnosed with it? Are kids especially in danger?
What are the symptoms of acute flaccid myelitis?
- Weakness in the arms or legs, decreased reflexes, and loss of muscle tone.
- Facial droop or weakness
- Difficulty moving the eyes
- Drooping eyelids
- Difficulty swallowing
- Slurred speech
It is important to note that the symptoms may be mild: difficulty swallowing, weakness of hands, limping, some patients may even experience pain in their hands and feet or tingling.
These symptoms can sometimes be subtle in young children. If your child is behaving abnormally, refusing to walk when they previously would, refusing to use their hands or feet when they previously did, or choking, gagging or coughing while eating, consider contacting your pediatrician to review their symptoms.
What is the treatment? Does everybody recover from acute flaccid myelitis?
What are signs that my child may have it? What should I do if they get sick?
How can I help prevent it AFM?
As a parent, should I be freaking out about acute flaccid myelitis?
I’m a physician, but I’m also a mother to a very active toddler, who is in daycare and constantly exposed to colds. I understand how scary something like this can sound, especially early on when the CDC is still searching for answers. Not knowing is often the scariest part.
But the reality is there are always diseases we need to be concerned about, both new infectious diseases and even those we already know about that continue to circulate. We can’t expect the world to be germ free, and we can’t expect our children to never get sick.
What we can do is use this heightened alarm as a reminder to review with our children the need for regular hand washing and covering their mouths when they cough. Not sending children to school when they have a fever and are ill. We should try to keep them as healthy as possible with regular check ups with their pediatrician and good nutrition, so that when they do get sick, with a common cold or other illness, they can recover quickly.
And, most importantly, please remember that AFM is very, very rare. The chances are still greater than one in a million that a child will be affected by AFM. I think it’s important to keep perspective. More children were seriously ill from the flu last year, and there is a vaccine for that. Let’s use this moment to pause and remember why vaccines are important and how to keep ourselves healthy.
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