Authors

  1. McNair, Norma D. PhD, RN, CNRN

Abstract

Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is an idiopathic postinfectious immune disease that leads to progressive motor weakness due to damage to the myelin sheath. Epidemiological studies have linked GBS to infections from Campylobacter jejuni, Cytomegalovirus, and other pathogens. The syndrome includes multiple subtypes, with the most common being ascending motor weakness. Treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin and plasma exchange reduces the time for recovery to occur, although some remain disabled.