What is Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS)?

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare disorder in which a person’s own immune system damages the nerve cells, causing muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis. GBS can cause symptoms that last for a few weeks or several months. Most people recover fully from GBS, but some people have permanent nerve damage.

In rare cases, people have died of GBS, usually from difficulty with breathing. In the United States, for example, an estimated 3,000 to 6,000 people develop GBS each year on average, whether or not they received a vaccination. This is about 1 to 2 cases of GBS per 100,000 people.

For more information about Guillain-Barré Syndrome see:

• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Information Page
• Fact Sheet: Guillain-Barré Syndrome 

Last Reviewed: 09/08/2010

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• Do vaccines cause Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS)?
• How common is Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), and how common is it after people are vaccinated for seasonal flu?

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