Acute Flaccid Myelitis

Overview

Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is a condition that affects the nervous system, especially the spinal cord. AFM most often happens to children. It can happen for different reasons, but one common cause is viral infections. 

The viruses that can cause AFM include: 

• Enteroviruses, which include the polio virus and related non-polio viruses
• West Nile virus (WNV) and WNV-related viruses, which are spread through mosquito bites (including Japanese encephalitis virus and Saint Louis encephalitis virus)
• Herpesviruses, such as cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus, which can cause other illnesses
• Adenoviruses, which also cause cold- or flu-like infections

Symptoms & Diagnosis

Most patients will have sudden weakness of the arms or legs and loss of muscle tone and reflexes. Numbness or tingling happens sometimes but is not as common, and some patients may have pain in their arms or legs. 

Some patients, in addition to the arm and leg weakness, will also have one or more of the following symptoms:

• Facial droop/weakness
• Difficulty moving the eyes
• Drooping eyelids
• Difficulty with swallowing
• Slurred speech
• Unable to pass urine 
• Difficulty breathing or respiratory failure

Treatment

There is not a specific treatment for AFM. Instead, care providers make decisions on what support is needed based on symptoms. For example, physical or occupational therapy may be used to help with limb weakness.

Prevention

The best way to keep from getting sick with AFM is to lower your chance of getting sick from any virus. That includes regular handwashing, washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

Public health experts also recommend these good habits:

• Don't touch your face with unwashed hands
• Stay away from people who are sick
• Stay up to date on recommended vaccinations

To keep from spreading a virus:

• Clean and use a disinfecting spray or wipe to remove germs from surfaces that you and others touch a lot (like mobile phones, doorknobs, and toys)
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or upper shirt sleeve, not hands
• Stay at home if you or your child are sick

Reporting

AFM is not a reportable condition in Alaska.

Resources

• CDC  about AFM