WHAT ON EARTH IS... GUILLAINBARRÉ SYNDROME?
YOUR BODY HAS AN amazing, natural ability to defend itself against disease. That’s because your immune system protects you extremely effectively against invading bacteria and viruses. But, occasionally, this sophisticated system can malfunction, leading to autoimmune disorders. This is when your body’s own tissues are mistaken for invaders and attacked by the immune system. Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is a rare autoimmune condition, often triggered by a mild illness, such as flu, colds, diarrhoea, or chest and urinary infections. It affects an estimated 1,300 people every year in the UK, according to the Guillain-Barré & Associated Inflammatory Neuropathies charity (GAIN). About 80 per cent of
