Health And Me Desk

Dengue & Guillain-Barré Syndrome: Can A Common Monsoon Illness Trigger A Serious Nerve Disorder?

For most people, <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/dengue">dengue</a></span> is associated with high fever, severe body aches, headache, fatigue, and a temporary drop in platelet count. With proper care, the majority of patients recover completely within a couple of weeks. However, doctors caution that in rare instances, dengue can leave behind an unexpected complication that affects the nervous system rather than the blood—Guillain-Barre syndrome (<span>GBS</span>).

<h2>What Is Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)?</h2>

GBS is an uncommon autoimmune disorder in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the peripheral nerves. It usually develops after an infection, and growing evidence suggests that dengue can be one of the infections capable of triggering this immune response. While the chances remain low, the condition can progress rapidly and requires prompt medical attention.

The condition affects the nerves and can cause increasing weakness in the legs, arms, face and swallowing.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/do-people-with-type-2-diabetes-face-a-higher-risk-of-severe-dengue-new-review-says-yes-article-155145384" data-type="tilCustomLink">Do People With Type 2 Diabetes Face A Higher Risk of Severe Dengue? New Review Says Yes</a>

Unlike the fever and body pain seen during active <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/dengue">dengue</a> infection</span>, <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/what-is-the-rare-neurological-disorder-guillain-barre-syndrome-article-151177020" data-type="tilCustomLink">GBS</a> often appears days or even weeks after the patient seems to be recovering. This delay can make it easy to overlook the connection.

Our immune system protects our body by fighting infections. In some rare cases an infection like dengue can trigger a strange immune response where our body mistakenly attacks its own nerves.

Nerves carry signals between our brain and the rest of our body allowing us to move and feel normally. When nerves get damaged it disrupts the signals from our brain leading to muscle weakness tingling and other symptoms. 

Someone who has recently recovered from dengue may suddenly notice tingling in the feet or hands, weakness in the legs, difficulty climbing stairs, or an unsteady walk. As the condition progresses, the weakness may spread upwards, affecting the arms, facial muscles, swallowing, or even the muscles responsible for breathing.

The exact reason this happens is believed to be an abnormal immune response. Instead of switching off after fighting the dengue virus, the immune system mistakenly attacks the protective covering of the nerves, disrupting the signals between the brain and muscles. This results in the characteristic muscle weakness seen in GBS.

Guillain-Barre syndrome usually develops when we are recovering from <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/sri-lankas-decade-high-dengue-toll-crosses-76000-cases-56-deaths-article-155171124" data-type="tilCustomLink">dengue</a> or even days to weeks after the fever has gone away.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/indias-first-approved-dengue-vaccine-takedas-qdenga-protects-against-all-four-virus-serotypes-article-155137910" data-type="tilCustomLink">India’s First Approved Dengue Vaccine: Takeda’s QDENGA Protects Against All Four Virus Serotypes</a>

<h2>Warning Signs You Should Not Ignore</h2>

Feeling tired and fatigued is common, after dengue. Usually gets better slowly. However, we need to differentiate it from weakness. Neurological weakness means our muscle movements are affected. 

It often starts in our legs. We may notice it is getting harder to climb stairs get up from a chair or walk normally. This weakness can sometimes spread to our arms and face. In cases it can even affect our swallowing or breathing which may require ICU and ventilator support. 

Although <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/the-invisible-brain-eating-bacteria-lurking-in-water-pipes-that-can-cause-deadly-infections-article-153427078" data-type="tilCustomLink">dengue-related GBS</a> is rare, recognising the warning signs early can make a significant difference. Timely diagnosis and treatment can help reduce complications and improve recovery. 

Any person who develops new weakness, numbness, difficulty walking, facial drooping, trouble swallowing, or breathlessness in the weeks following dengue should seek immediate medical evaluation rather than assuming it is part of normal post-viral fatigue.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/will-waterborne-diseases-rise-in-the-future-new-study-says-climate-change-could-be-a-major-driver-article-155134094" data-type="tilCustomLink">Will Waterborne Diseases Rise In The Future? New Study Says Climate Change Could Be A Major Driver</a>

The reassuring news is that most people with dengue will never develop Guillain-Barre syndrome. Nevertheless, awareness remains important because the condition can become serious if left untreated. 

Preventing mosquito bites, eliminating stagnant water around homes, and seeking medical care early for suspected dengue remain the best ways to reduce the risk of both the infection and its uncommon complications.

From U-WIN Success To India's Dengue Vaccine, Immunization Expert Shares Roadmap

The main thing to remember this monsoon is simple: feeling tired after dengue's normal but if our weakness is getting worse we should not ignore it. Recognizing this difference. Getting medical help early can help us identify this rare but treatable complication on time.

As dengue cases rise during the monsoon, recovery should not simply be measured by the disappearance of fever. Paying attention to new <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/are-women-more-likely-to-experience-more-severe-neurological-symptoms-of-long-covid-than-men-new-study-finds-article-155157758" data-type="tilCustomLink">neurological symptoms</a> after the illness has resolved can help ensure that a rare but potentially life-threatening complication is recognised before it becomes an emergency.

<strong>By Dr. Abizer Manked, Consultant Physician and Diabetologist at Saifee Hospital, Mumbai and Dr. Arun Shah, Director Neurosciences, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai</strong>

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For most people, dengue is associated with high fever, severe body aches, headache, fatigue, and a temporary drop in platelet count. With proper care, the majority of patients recover completely within a couple of weeks. However, doctors caution that in rare instances, dengue can leave behind an unexpected complication that affects the nervous system rather than the blood—Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS).What Is Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)?GBS is an uncommon autoimmune disorder in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the peripheral nerves. It usually develops after an infection, and growing evidence suggests that dengue can be one of the infections capable of triggering this immune response. While the chances remain low, the condition can progress rapidly and requires prompt medical attention.The condition affects the nerves and can cause increasing weakness in the legs, arms, face and swallowing.Also read: Do People With Type 2 Diabetes Face A Higher Risk of Severe Dengue? New Review Says YesHow Dengue Can Trigger GBSUnlike the fever and body pain seen during active dengue infection, GBS often appears days or even weeks after the patient seems to be recovering. This delay can make it easy to overlook the connection.Our immune system protects our body by fighting infections. In some rare cases an infection like dengue can trigger a strange immune response where our body mistakenly attacks its own nerves.Nerves carry signals between our brain and the rest of our body allowing us to move and feel normally. When nerves get damaged it disrupts the signals from our brain leading to muscle weakness tingling and other symptoms. Someone who has recently recovered from dengue may suddenly notice tingling in the feet or hands, weakness in the legs, difficulty climbing stairs, or an unsteady walk. As the condition progresses, the weakness may spread upwards, affecting the arms, facial muscles, swallowing, or even the muscles responsible for breathing.The exact reason this happens is believed to be an abnormal immune response. Instead of switching off after fighting the dengue virus, the immune system mistakenly attacks the protective covering of the nerves, disrupting the signals between the brain and muscles. This results in the characteristic muscle weakness seen in GBS.Guillain-Barre syndrome usually develops when we are recovering from dengue or even days to weeks after the fever has gone away.Also read: India’s First Approved Dengue Vaccine: Takeda’s QDENGA Protects Against All Four Virus SerotypesWarning Signs You Should Not IgnoreFeeling tired and fatigued is common, after dengue. Usually gets better slowly. However, we need to differentiate it from weakness. Neurological weakness means our muscle movements are affected.  It often starts in our legs. We may notice it is getting harder to climb stairs get up from a chair or walk normally. This weakness can sometimes spread to our arms and face. In cases it can even affect our swallowing or breathing which may require ICU and ventilator support. Although dengue-related GBS is rare, recognising the warning signs early can make a significant difference. Timely diagnosis and treatment can help reduce complications and improve recovery. Any person who develops new weakness, numbness, difficulty walking, facial drooping, trouble swallowing, or breathlessness in the weeks following dengue should seek immediate medical evaluation rather than assuming it is part of normal post-viral fatigue.Also read: Will Waterborne Diseases Rise In The Future? New Study Says Climate Change Could Be A Major DriverWhy Early Recognition MattersThe reassuring news is that most people with dengue will never develop Guillain-Barre syndrome. Nevertheless, awareness remains important because the condition can become serious if left untreated. Preventing mosquito bites, eliminating stagnant water around homes, and seeking medical care early for suspected dengue remain the best ways to reduce the risk of both the infection and its uncommon complications.            The main thing to remember this monsoon is simple: feeling tired after dengue's normal but if our weakness is getting worse we should not ignore it. Recognizing this difference. Getting medical help early can help us identify this rare but treatable complication on time.As dengue cases rise during the monsoon, recovery should not simply be measured by the disappearance of fever. Paying attention to new neurological symptoms after the illness has resolved can help ensure that a rare but potentially life-threatening complication is recognised before it becomes an emergency.By Dr. Abizer Manked, Consultant Physician and Diabetologist at Saifee Hospital, Mumbai and Dr. Arun Shah, Director Neurosciences, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai