&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM): Symptoms, Causes &amp;amp; Treatment&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is a &lt;strong&gt;rare but serious neurological condition&lt;/strong&gt; that affects the spinal cord. It can cause &lt;strong&gt;sudden weakness in the arms or legs&lt;/strong&gt;, loss of muscle tone, and reduced reflexes. AFM mainly affects &lt;strong&gt;young children&lt;/strong&gt;, although adults can be affected in rare cases.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;In many instances, children experience a &lt;strong&gt;mild viral illness&lt;/strong&gt;, such as a cold or fever, &lt;strong&gt;one to four weeks before&lt;/strong&gt; neurological symptoms begin. Because symptoms can worsen quickly, &lt;strong&gt;acute flaccid myelitis is a medical emergency&lt;/strong&gt; and requires urgent hospital care.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Since AFM was first closely monitored after clusters appeared in 2014, periodic increases in cases have been observed, particularly in late summer and autumn. While the condition remains uncommon, early recognition and treatment are essential to improve outcomes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Symptoms of Acute Flaccid Myelitis&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Symptoms of AFM often appear suddenly and may progress rapidly. The most common signs include:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Sudden weakness in one or more arms or legs&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Loss of muscle tone&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Reduced or absent reflexes&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Other possible symptoms include:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Difficulty moving the eyes or &lt;strong&gt;drooping eyelids&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Facial weakness&lt;/strong&gt; or facial droop&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Slurred speech&lt;/strong&gt; or difficulty swallowing&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Pain in the &lt;strong&gt;arms, legs, neck, or back&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Less common symptoms may include:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Numbness or tingling&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Difficulty passing urine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;In severe cases, the muscles that control breathing can become weak, leading to &lt;strong&gt;respiratory failure&lt;/strong&gt;. Some people may also develop dangerous changes in &lt;strong&gt;body temperature or blood pressure&lt;/strong&gt;, which can be life-threatening.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Causes of Acute Flaccid Myelitis&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;The exact cause of acute flaccid myelitis is not fully understood. However, research suggests that AFM is often linked to &lt;strong&gt;viral infections&lt;/strong&gt;, particularly &lt;strong&gt;enteroviruses&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Enteroviruses commonly cause mild respiratory symptoms or fever, especially in children, and most people recover without complications. It remains unclear why a small number of individuals go on to develop AFM after a viral infection.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;AFM symptoms can resemble those of &lt;strong&gt;polio&lt;/strong&gt;, but it is important to note that &lt;strong&gt;poliovirus has not been identified as the cause&lt;/strong&gt; of AFM cases in recent years in countries with routine polio vaccination.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Risk Factors&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Young age&lt;/strong&gt; is the main known risk factor&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Most cases occur in &lt;strong&gt;children&lt;/strong&gt;, particularly those under 10 years old&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;At present, there are no clear genetic or lifestyle factors known to increase the risk.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Complications&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Muscle weakness caused by acute flaccid myelitis can be &lt;strong&gt;long-lasting&lt;/strong&gt;. Some people experience weakness that persists for &lt;strong&gt;months or even years&lt;/strong&gt;, and recovery can be slow.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Long-term complications may include:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Reduced mobility&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Ongoing need for physiotherapy or rehabilitation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Breathing difficulties in severe cases&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Early treatment and specialist rehabilitation can help improve function and quality of life.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Treatment Options&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;There is currently &lt;strong&gt;no specific cure&lt;/strong&gt; for acute flaccid myelitis. Treatment focuses on:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Hospital care&lt;/strong&gt;, often in intensive care units&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Breathing support&lt;/strong&gt;, including ventilators if needed&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Pain management&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Physiotherapy and rehabilitation&lt;/strong&gt; to help regain strength and movement&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Care is usually provided by a team of specialists, including neurologists, physiotherapists, and respiratory specialists.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Prevention&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;There is no guaranteed way to prevent acute flaccid myelitis. However, reducing the risk of viral infections may help lower the chance of developing AFM.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Helpful prevention steps include:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Washing hands frequently with soap and water&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Avoiding touching the face with unwashed hands&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Avoiding close contact with unwell people&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Covering coughs and sneezes properly&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Keeping children at home when they are sick&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;When to See a Doctor&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Seek &lt;strong&gt;urgent medical attention&lt;/strong&gt; if you or your child develops:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Sudden arm or leg weakness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Facial drooping&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Difficulty speaking, swallowing, or breathing&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are critical and may help reduce long-term complications.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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