Acute Flaccid Myelitis 
Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is a rare yet severe condition impacting the spinal cord, predominantly affecting young children. It occurs through sudden weakness in limbs, diminished muscle tone, and reflex loss.
Most cases are preceded by mild respiratory ailments or fevers caused by viral infections, typically occurring one to four weeks before AFM symptoms emerge.
Immediate medical attention is crucial upon noticing AFM symptoms, as they can rapidly escalate, potentially necessitating hospitalization and, in severe cases, ventilator assistance for breathing.
Since the initial clusters in 2014, the United States has witnessed AFM outbreaks in 2016 and 2018, typically spanning from August to November.
Symptoms:
Common Occurs of AFM include
- Abrupt limb weakness
- Loss of muscle tone
- Reflex depletion.
Additional potential symptoms encompass eye movement impairment, facial weakness, swallowing difficulties, and localized pain.
Less frequent indicators may involve tingling sensations, urinary retention, and severe complications like respiratory failure, drastic temperature fluctuations, and unstable blood pressure.
Seeking immediate medical attention is advisable upon observing any of the aforementioned symptoms.
Causes:
AFM may stem from enterovirus infections, prevalent particularly between August and November in the United States. While most individuals recover from enterovirus-induced respiratory issues, it remains unclear why some develop AFM.
Although AFM symptoms resemble those of polio, U.S. cases have not been linked to poliovirus.
Risk Factors:
The condition predominantly affects young children.
Complications:
Muscle weakness associated with AFM can persist for months to years.
Prevention:
While there's no foolproof method to prevent AFM, minimizing viral infections can mitigate the risk. Adopting practices such as frequent handwashing, refraining from touching one's face with unwashed hands, avoiding close contact with sick individuals, disinfecting surfaces, practicing respiratory hygiene, and keeping unwell children at home can help prevent viral spread.
