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Until a few weeks ago, Cami Abernathy had never heard of acute flaccid myelitis.
In September, though, his 3-year-old son, Carter, was diagnosed with a rare case of seriousness, a serious condition that caused polio-like illnesses, mostly in young children and teens.
His case and others like it
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reportedly had 62 patients with AFM out of 127 suspected cases in 22 states.
Of the confirmed cases, the average age is 4. More than 90 percent are in children age 18 and younger, according to the CDC.
"Said Abernathy, a teacher, who lives with her husband and two young children in Rydal, nears Cartersville.
Carter's problem started earlier, about a week after he battled a respiratory illness. In August, he went to the restroom and when finished, had trouble pulling up his pants.
"He said, 'My hand will not work' and that's his left arm 'sick,'" said Abernathy.
Could he have hurt his left arm, but he never complained of bread? Now, his parents feared, could he be a stroke?
After a series of doctor and hospital visits and test after test, doctors eventually said it was most likely a case of AFM, she said.
"Weird, strange hearing, '' odd 'and' weird 'only creates panic and it did in us," Abernathy said.
She said it was like stumbling around in the dark, and she found it troubling that some doctors appeared to be well.
"They did not know much more than we did," she said. "We were concerned because we would not know if it would be better. We were worried about his future and it would affect our other son. "
He is now undergoing physical therapy, and Abernathy said the family has seen much improvement.
Dr. Sumit Verma, Medical Director of the Neuromuscular Program at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, said CHOA has seen nearly a few cases in the past few years.
"Unfortunately, there is no cure for acute flaccid myelitis," he said in a statement. "However, symptomatic management is available and could improve function and quality of life."
He said the disease can strike a healthy child "without notice," but cautions it is still extremely rare.
He is suggesting that parents have a child in their limbs, it is important to seek medical care immediately.
He and others say the best efforts to prevent illness.
These steps include washing their hands, cover their coughs, stay home when sick, and make sure they are current on vaccines.
According to health officials, symptoms may include sudden muscle weakness in the arms or Other symptoms include weakness or stiffness in the neck; drooping eyelids or a facial droop, difficulty swallowing and slurred speech.
In Georgia, this year has been estimated, or probable, cases of AFM with two possible other cases under investigation, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health.
And while the number in Georgia is low, it is an increase over several of the previous years. In 2015 and 2017 each, there was a confirmed or probable case, and in 2016, there were five.
AFM was made reportable in Georgia this past summer, but in the wake of the CDC's recommendations.
What is particularly important to parents is that health officials are not identified as single causes of illness. Possible factors can include viral infections such as enteroviruses and West Nile viruses, environmental toxins and other diseases.
Currently, the poliovirus is not the cause of the AFM cases, according to the CDC. Based on previous years, most cases appear in the late summer and fall.
The condition can lead to long-lasting and even permanent disabilities. Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the CDC 's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said: "This is a case of the AFM specifically affecting the area of the spinal cord called gray matter and causes muscles and reflexes to become weak.
"The reason why we do not know about AFM – and I am frustrated that despite our efforts, we are not able to identify the cause of this mystery. boxes, "said Messonnier. "Despite extensive laboratory testing, we did not determine what pathogen or immune response caused by the patient or patient. We can not know who can be at higher risk for developing.
Jennifer Peteet's son, Reid, who is now 3, became sick in the fall of 2016.
Peteet, of Winder, said Reid developed a cold future. He kept falling, she said, because he was so weak. They were at the emergency department at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, but they could not pinpoint the cause. By that time, Peteet said he could not move from the neck down.
He was diagnosed with pneumonia. "I wonder if she could not move," she said. "I was led to believe that he was so sick with pneumonia, that was causing him to be much weaker." His breathing worsened.
"We knew something was not right," said Peteet, who is a member of a Facebook group of parents around the globe who have been affected by AFM. "Every child is being misdiagnosed." Reid, she said, was tested for several viruses, but the tests came back negative.
A few years before, he said, "But it was a paralyzing child," "But it went one way and the other," Peteet said. "That was until it hit me right in the face. I just wish parents had more information. They are so young that they are more likely to know each other than they are.
Doctors eventually diagnosed AFM after an MRI. Today, Reid, who is spending time on the ground and is working on an overpatient basis. He can put a limited amount of weight on his legs.
"He's really a long way, but everyone doubts that he will make a full recovery," Peteet said.
She wants parents and doctors to be more aware of signs, symptoms and treatments.
"My hope for medical professionals is that with early awareness, intervention and advocacy," said Peteet said. "My message to newborns is that it's going to be there, but there's no cure yet."
ACUTE FLACCID MYELITIS
AFM is a rare, but serious, neurological condition.
Symptoms may include weakness or paralysis in the legs and arms, drooping eyelids or a facial droop, difficulty swallowing or slurred speech.
Health officials urge parents to seek immediate medical attention if these symptoms are observed.
Sources: CDC, Georgia Department of Public Health
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