Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is a serious condition affecting the spinal cord, mainly affects young children. It is characterized by sudden weakness in the arms or legs, loss of muscle tone, and loss of reflexes. Other possible symptoms of this condition include difficulty moving the eyes or drooping eyelids, facial weakness, difficulty  swallowing, slurred speech, and pain in the arms, legs, neck or back. Most children develop fever caused by a viral infection about one to four weeks before the appearing of acute flaccid myelitis. Hospitalization is needed and sometimes a ventilator is required for breathing support. Outbreaks of acute flaccid myelitis in the United States occurred in 2016 and 2018. The outbreaks tend to occur between August and November.

The main cause of Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is infection with enterovirus. Respiratory illnesses and fever from enteroviruses are common especially in children. It’s not clear why some people with an enterovirus infection develop acute flaccid myelitis. The symptoms of acute flaccid myelitis can look similar to those of the viral disease polio. The only risk factor to this condition is being young as it is only found in children. The uncommon symptoms of acute flaccid myelitis include numbness or tingling and inability to pass urine. The severe symptoms involve respiratory failure, due to the muscles involved in breathing becoming weak. It’s also possible to experience life-threatening body temperature changes and blood pressure instability.

Preventing a viral infection can help reduce the risk of developing acute flaccid myelitis. This can be effected by wash hands often with soap and water, avoid touching the face with unwashed hands, avoiding close contact with people who are sick, disinfecting touched surfaces frequently, and keeping sick children at home. When a child develops symptoms of acute flaccid myelitis, they should seek medical care immediate.  Hospitalization is needed and sometimes a ventilator is required for breathing support. MLA