Guillain-Barre Syndrome is often preceded by what type of illness?

• A. Bacterial skin infection
• B. Respiratory infection
• C. Urinary tract infection
• D. Gastroenteritis

Answer: (B)

Guillain-Barré syndrome is an acute immune-mediated attack on the peripheral nerves that almost always follows another illness. After fighting off an infection, the immune system can mistake nerve components for the pathogen and attack them, leading to demyelination and a progressive, symmetrical weakness with reduced or absent reflexes. The type of preceding illness clinicians most often recognize is a recent respiratory infection, such as a cold or flu, though gastroenteritis from a GI infection can also precede GBS. The key point is the timing: weakness develops within days to weeks after the infection, which helps distinguish GBS from other causes and guides monitoring and treatment decisions.