Guillain-Barré syndrome

noun

Guil·​lain-Bar·​ré syndrome ˌgē-ˌlan-ˌbä-ˈrā- 

ˌgē-yaⁿ-

: an uncommon autoimmune disorder of sudden onset that is an inflammatory neuropathy affecting the peripheral nervous system, that is initially marked by tingling, numbness, weakness, or loss of sensation in the feet and legs usually spreading to the arms, upper body, and face, that often causes severe nerve pain and breathing difficulties and sometimes progresses to paralysis and in rare instances death

Note: The cause of Guillain-Barré syndrome is unknown but individuals often experience onset a few weeks after a respiratory or gastrointestinal illness. Recovery from Guillain-Barré syndrome typically occurs within six to twelve months from initial onset but may take up to three years. Upon recovery, some individuals may have residual numbness, tingling, and weakness.

Examples of Guillain-Barré syndrome in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Based on the author’s experiences with anxiety from his teen years to being struck with Guillain-Barre syndrome as an adult, which paralyzed him for six months. — Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 31 May 2026

Some people worry that flu shots increase the risk of Guillain-Barre syndrome, a serious but rare disorder in which the immune system attacks nerve cells, causing muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis. — Liz Szabo, NBC news, 25 Oct. 2025

Rarely, people can developed prolonged complications from food poisoning, including arthritis and Guillain-Barre syndrome where the body’s immune system attacks its own nerves causing muscle weakness and paralysis. — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025

The baseball player had missed eight games to be with his family after Max was diagnosed with transient synovitis (also known as irritable hip) and Guillain-Barre syndrome in July. — Marina Watts, Peoplemag, 6 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Georges Guillain †1961 French physician and Jean A. Barré †1967 French neurologist

First Known Use

1939, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

Guillain-Barré syndrome

noun

Guil·​lain-Bar·​ré syndrome ˌgē-ˌlan-ˌbä-ˈrā-  ˌgē-yaⁿ- 

: an uncommon autoimmune disorder of sudden onset that is an inflammatory neuropathy affecting the peripheral nervous system, that is initially marked by tingling, numbness, weakness, or loss of sensation in the feet and legs usually spreading to the arms, upper body, and face, that often causes severe nerve pain and breathing difficulties, and sometimes progresses to paralysis and in rare instances death

Note: The cause of Guillain-Barré syndrome is unknown but individuals often experience onset a few weeks after a respiratory or gastrointestinal illness. Recovery from Guillain-Barré syndrome typically occurs within six to twelve months from initial onset but may take up to three years. Upon recovery, some individuals may have residual numbness, tingling, and weakness.

—abbreviation GBS

called also Landry's paralysis