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Acute flaccid myelitis on the rise, have your questions answered live by a doctor

Posted at 9:22 AM, Nov 07, 2018
and last updated 2018-11-07 09:26:35-05

The CDC says Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is on the rise since 2014, and WMAR-2 News is working for you and answering any questions you may have about this rare disease. 

On Wednesday at 3 p.m. on Facebook and on our 5 p.m. newscast, listen to Dr. Lee Fireman with MedStar Franklin Square talk about this serious condition and have all of your questions answered. 

AFM affects your nervous system, specifically in your spinal cord, causing weakness in one or more limbs, according to the CDC. While this dangerous condition is on the rise, doctors say they cannot confirm the cause for the majority of these cases. 

Graph provided by the CDC. 

In 2014, there were 120 confirmed cases in 34 different states. In 2015 there were 22 cases, 149 in 2016, 33 in 2017, and 80 in 2018. 

Since 2014, the CDC has learned that this condition is found mostly in children and the symptoms mimic those of certain viruses like polio, adenoviruses, and West Nile virus. 

If you want to read more about AFM,click here.