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Can Common Colds Cause Paralysis?

Posted on Wed, 25 Jul 2018

Question: this is not about me. I am just trying to ease my worry. I ran into a guy today who said he got paralyzed by the common cold. Is that even possible?

Answered by Dr. salah saad shoman (25 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Enterovirus is a possibility

Detailed Answer:
Dear Ma'am, I have gone through your question and I understand your concerns.

Yes, please note that there is a virus called enterovirus that causes symptoms that start similar to a common cold virus except that it rapidly progress to respiratory irregularities and might cause a temporary paresis or paralysis in one or more limbs...

I hope you find this helpful.

Kind regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. salah saad shoman (19 minutes later)

okay, so it's not exactly that a cold can paralyze you for life. It is this certain enterovirus that causes temporary paralysis? what type of respiratory irregularities do you mean specifically?

Answered by Dr. salah saad shoman (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Develop rapidly

Detailed Answer:
Dear Ma'am, hello again.. respiratory irregularities are due to hypoxia which is accompanied by wheezes, coughing , rapid breathing, rapid heart rate and Pleurodynia which is pleural friction which causes intermittent chest pain usually over the lower part of the rib cage. i hope you find this helpful

Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana