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Related: About this forumBrazilian scientists find new Zika-linked brain disorder in adults
https://www.yahoo.com/news/brazilian-scientists-zika-linked-brain-disorder-adults-201228829.html?nhp=1CHICAGO (Reuters) - Scientists in Brazil have uncovered a new brain disorder associated with Zika infections in adults: an autoimmune syndrome called acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, or ADEM, that attacks the brain and spinal cord.
Zika has already been linked with the autoimmune disorder Guillain-Barre syndrome, which attacks peripheral nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, causing temporary paralysis that can in some cases require patients to rely on respirators for breathing.
The new discovery now shows Zika may provoke an immune attack on the central nervous system as well.
The findings add to the growing list of neurological damage associated with Zika.
According to the World Health Organization, there is a strong scientific consensus that, in addition to Guillain-Barre, Zika can cause the birth defect microcephaly, though conclusive proof may take months or years. Microcephaly is defined by unusually small heads that can result in developmental problems.
Laffy Kat
(16,386 posts)katsy
(4,246 posts)I have Guillain-Barre syndrome. To think of the hundreds or thousands of people that may be affected with this disease is mind boggling. Complete paralysis then years of therapy to be able to function again.
But ADEM... There's no cure for this.
Scary indeed.
WhiteTara
(29,721 posts)katsy
(4,246 posts)I can't tell you how terrifying this news is to me personally. I have 15 yr old twins and am still recovering. It has an enormous impact on family and friends. I can't imagine having GBS go from being a rare syndrome to mainstream. Terrifying
Laffy Kat
(16,386 posts)My brother-in-law had it in 1995. He was 26, healthy as an ox, never sick. Then he got GBS. He was in the hospital for six weeks. Of course, he got very sick very fast and never got on the other side of it. As you know, the sooner you have to go on a ventilator the worse the outcome. Usually, for someone that young and healthy the mortality rate is <3%. He was just so damn unlucky.
katsy
(4,246 posts)I was hospitalized for months and luckily the neurology dept at Yale-New Haven is top notch and started Immunoglobulin therapy about 6 weeks after symptoms occurred.
I was lucky. But still my recovery isn't complete after 2 years. I'm disabled. Idk if I'll recover fully but no one seems to think so at this point.
Laffy Kat
(16,386 posts)I can't remember his name, as I don't follow football, but I know there was a Denver Bronco who had GBS, was very sick, but eventually went back to playing football. This was a long time ago, maybe 1991 or '92? He felt his recovery was near-complete. Healing thoughts your way, katsy.
Human101948
(3,457 posts)http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/269905-house-gop-rejects-white-house-request-for-zika-funding
WhiteTara
(29,721 posts)if the repukes get bitten by a Zika mosquito.
Warpy
(111,327 posts)Children got it, got over it, and were immune. I suppose the ones who got very ill with it were misdiagnosed with something more serious, like encephalitis. It's either that or the damned thing has mutated into a far more virulent form.
Eventually we'll have a vaccine. The next few years will be horrible in high density mosquito areas.
WhiteTara
(29,721 posts)much more severe?
Warpy
(111,327 posts)and there are other diseases that follow that pattern, like mumps and chicken pox. Both are much worse in adults.