Symptoms usually start to appear five days to three weeks after an infection, surgery or immunization. Weakness may worsen until it leads to complete paralysis. The paralysis is only temporary. Although many have heard of this condition, it is uncommon. Diagnosis involves a lumbar puncture to check for elevated fluid protein.
Diagnosis also involves an electrical nerve test.
Victims of Guillian-Barre Syndrome require hospitalization and intravenous fluids to avoid dehydration and for physical therapy. Most people recover completely after this phenomenon, but it takes several weeks to sereral months. Approximately one third remain with some permanent weakness for several years later. Studies have shown that there is no permanent damage to nerves long term. The cause is not known although it is suspected to involve viral infections of some type, and oddly, studies have linked victims to having received the 1976 Flu Vaccine.