What are the symptoms of acute flaccid myelitis (AFM)?

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What are the symptoms of acute flaccid myelitis (AFM)?

The onset of AFM is sudden (acute). Symptoms include:

  • Weakness in one or more limbs (arms, legs)
  • Flabby muscles affecting the face, head and neck, which might cause one side of the face to fall lower than the other
  • Unresponsive muscles and nerves in the mouth or throat that cause problems with swallowing or talking
  • Weakness in the eyes, so that you have drooping eyelids or problems moving your eyes.
  • Weakness in muscles and nerves in the respiratory system. You could have problems breathing, resulting in respiratory failure. At that point, a ventilator (a machine that breathes for you) is needed.
  • Pain in an arm or leg
  • Inability to urinate

With AFM, severe symptoms could result in partial paralysis or paralysis (inability to move the muscles). It is also possible that only one limb is affected severely. People with AFM generally do not have the spastic movements of someone with transverse myelitis.

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