Acute Flaccid Myelitis

The average age of patients with AFM (acute flaccid myelitis) is 5 years of age. Joining us on House Call is Dr. Christopher Kennedy, Family Medicine resident at UHC Family Medicine.

1). Can you explain for our viewers what AFM is?

Acute flaccid myelitis or (AFM) is a rare but serious syndrome (a pattern of symptoms) that causes limb weakness, mostly in children; however, respiratory symptoms or fever consistent with a viral infection less than a week before onset of limb weakness.

National outbreaks have occurred starting in 2014, when CDC began surveillance for AFM. In 2018 there were 233 cases. CDC believes viruses, including enteroviruses, play a role in AFM.

2). What are some of the symptoms of AFM?

• Most patients developed AFM in late summer or early fall. This is the time of year that outbreaks occur.
• Most patients had respiratory symptoms or fever consistent with a viral infection less than a week before onset of limb weakness.
• Currently, there are no proven ways to treat or prevent AFM.
• Prompt symptom recognition, specimen collection, and reporting to CDC are all critical to improve understanding of this complex syndrome, including its risk factors, outcomes, possible treatments, and ways to prevent it.

3). Do we know what are the possible causes of AFM and how to try to prevent it from occurring?

During five years of surveillance, the data have contributed important evidence to support the role of viruses, including enteroviruses, in AFM.

Since we do not know the cause of most of these AFM cases or what triggers this condition, there is no specific action to take to prevent AFM.

However, most children had a respiratory illness or fever consistent with a viral infection before they developed AFM.

You can decrease risk of getting viral infections by:

• Washing hands often with soap and water
• Avoid touching face with unwashed hands
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick

You can decrease the risk of spreading viral infections by:

• Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, including toys and doorknobs
• Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or upper shirt sleeve, not hands
• Keeping sick children at home

This content was originally posted on the WDTV News website here.

Please note, the information provided throughout this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and video, on or available through this website is for general information purposes only. If you are experiencing related symptoms, please visit your doctor or call 9-1-1 in an emergency.