Acute flaccid myelitis now in Chicago and Pittsburgh

<p class = "canvas-atom web-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "The mysterious disease that paralyzes children is spreading through the United States world, with cases that multiply in Chicago and Pittsburgh after the first reports of Minnesota. So far this year, 38 cases of acute flaccid myelitis have been reported in 16 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including Texas and Colorado. "data-reactid =" 15 "> The mysterious, paralyzing disease is spreading in the United States, and cases are proliferating in Chicago and Pittsburgh after the first reports from Minnesota. So far this year, 38 cases of acute flaccid myelitis have been reported in 16 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including Texas and Colorado.

<p class = "canvas-atom web-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Reports surfaced Wednesday that two children from the region from Chicago are being cared for at the Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago for the illness – including 2-year-old Julia Payne, who has been battling the disease for nearly a month. Chicago Tribune that the symptoms were at first comparable to those of a common cold. "Data-reactid =" 16 "> News has been reported Wednesday that two children in the Chicago area are being treated at Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago for the disease, including two years old, Julia Payne, who is fighting against the disease for almost a month, his parents said to the Chicago Tribune that early symptoms were on par with those of a cold.

The Pittsburgh Children's Hospital confirmed Tuesday night that three children suspected of having flaccid acute myelitis are undergoing treatment. "Patients are currently undergoing diagnostic and treatment procedures," said the hospital in a statement to Pittsburgh Channel 11. "Isolation protocols and infection control procedures are in place and evaluate the patient's conditions."

On Monday, news was reported that six children in Minnesota had been infected with the rare disease that causes reduced mobility or paralysis of the arms and legs. Minnesota cases have been diagnosed since September 20, according to the Minnesota Department of Health, which says officials are working "aggressively" with health care providers to try to gather more information about these cases.

Health officials warn parents to be on the lookout for symptoms.

According to the CDC, this disease affects the nervous system, especially the area of ​​the spine of a person called gray matter. "It's a very similar presentation to polio," Amesh A. Adalja, a physician and infectious disease specialist at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Safety told Yahoo Lifestyle. "The arms and legs of a person can become weak or paralyzed depending on which area of ​​the spinal cord is inflamed."

Acute flaccid myelitis is thought to occur after someone contracts a virus, such as a poliovirus, West Nile virus or an adenovirus, says the CDC. "It can affect people of all ages, but it's often seen in children," says Adalja.

Symptoms may include sudden weakness of the arms or legs, loss of reflexes, weakness or weakness of the face, difficulty in moving the eyes, droopy eyelids, difficulty swallowing, or speech disturbance. , says the CDC. Some people may be unable to urinate and, in severe cases, a person may suffer from respiratory failure and must be ventilated.

There is no treatment for this disease. Instead, people who are diagnosed with it receive "aggressive supportive care," says Adalja. "He's almost going to take his course and then you see where he's going," he adds.

<p class = "canvas-atom-canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Once again, it is about 39, a rare condition from August 2014 until August 2018, the CDC was informed of 362 cases of the disease, mainly in children. "data-reactid =" 28 "> Again, this is a rare disease. From August 2014 until August 2018, the CDC was informed of 362 cases of the disease, mainly in children.

The CDC recommends vaccinating children against poliovirus and protecting them against mosquito bites (West Nile virus carriers). It can also be helpful to wash your hands often with soap and water, depending on the agency.

Although acute flaccid myelitis is terrifying, Adalja says that parents should not stay awake at night to worry about it. "It's a very rare disease," he says.

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