Guillain-Barré syndrome reported in few Johnson & Johnson vaccine recipients: What is the rare nerve disorder?

A new warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over an elevated risk of a rare autoimmune nerve disorder among a small fraction of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine recipients has sparked concern: What is Guillain-Barré syndrome?

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) occurs when a person’s immune system and inflammation damage the nerves, spurring muscle weakness and in some severe cases, paralysis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  It is a rare neurological disorder estimated to affect 3,000 to 6,000 Americans annually, per the FDA. Triggers for the syndrome include recent respiratory or gastrointestinal infection weeks before symptoms, or other viral infections like the flu and Zika virus. The first symptoms typically involve weakness and tingling in the extremities, according to the Mayo Clinic, which notes no known cure and an estimated mortality rate ranging from 4% to 7%. Treatment typically requires hospitalization and involves plasma exchange and antibody infusions to alleviate symptoms and help speed up recovery.