Acute Flaccid Myelitis
Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is a syndrome that affects the nervous system, specifically the spinal cord. AFM can cause neurologic (brain) illness with limb weakness and loss of muscle tone and reflexes. AFM can result from a variety of causes, including viral infections, environmental toxins, genetic disorders, and Guillain-Barre syndrome, a neurologic disorder caused by an abnormal immune response that attacks the body’s nerves. Despite extensive laboratory testing, a cause for AFM is often unable to be identified. There is no specific treatment for AFM, but a healthcare provider who specializes in treating brain and spinal cord illnesses (neurologist) may recommend certain interventions on a case-by-case basis.
Information for the General Public
Information for Public Health Departments
Information for Healthcare Providers
- Patient Summary Form Word PDF Instructions
- Specimen Collection and Submission
- Interim Considerations for Clinical Management
- Frequently Asked Questions for Healthcare Professionals
- How to Report a Suspected Case of AFM
- CSTE Statement on Acute Flaccid Myelitis — November 09, 2018
Resources
- Acute Flaccid Myelitis in the United States—August – December 2014: Results of Nation-Wide Surveillance
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Transverse Myelitis Association