What Is Acute Flaccid Myelitis? Polio-Like Illness Affecting Children Across US

[Judi Lynn]

Oct 16, 2018 01:23 AM By Sadhana Bharanidharan

Instances of a polio-like illness have been on the rise, affecting dozens of children across the United States. The comparison to polio is due to the fact that it can result in temporary or permanent paralysis.

CNN found 47 confirmed cases of the illness this year, as well as 49 suspected cases that were being investigated. The affected states are Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, and Wisconsin.

The rare condition, known as acute flaccid myelitis or AFM, affects the gray matter of the spinal cord. While still considered to be rare, diagnoses have seen a slight rise since 2014, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Initially, the person may face generic flu-like symptoms such as weakness, coughing, sneezing, etc. Later, they may also experience loss of muscle tone, slurred speech, facial drooping, and difficulty in actions like moving their eyes, swallowing, and breathing.

More:
https://www.medicaldaily.com/what-acute-flaccid-myelitis-polio-illness-affecting-children-across-us-428093

[samnsara]

1. add wash state to that..we have had 3-4 cases..