Transverse myelitis
A guide for patients and carers
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What causes transverse myelitis?
It is not always possible to identify the cause of transverse myelitis. When a cause cannot be identified, it is called idiopathic transverse myelitis.
Although a cause cannot be established in cases of idiopathic transverse myelitis, the inflammation is thought to be the result of the immune system mistakenly attacking the spinal cord. This is called an autoimmune reaction.
Transverse myelitis often develops at the same time as, or soon after, a viral or bacterial infection. These cases of transverse myelitis are also believed to be the result of an autoimmune reaction. Rather than the viral or bacterial infection itself directly causing the inflammation, it is thought that the immune system is stimulated to fight the infection and, mistakenly, also attacks the spinal cord.
Transverse myelitis can also develop after vaccinations, although this is very rare. Again, it is thought that the immune system is triggered to respond to the vaccination and mistakenly attacks the spinal cord.
Our immune system protects us from being infected by bacteria and viruses which can make us ill. It also fights bacterial and viral infections when we are ill with them.
An autoimmune reaction occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks our bodies’ own tissue rather than just attacking the foreign bacteria or virus.
Although a cause cannot be established in cases of idiopathic transverse myelitis, the inflammation is thought to be the result of the immune system mistakenly attacking the spinal cord. This is called an autoimmune reaction.
Transverse myelitis often develops at the same time as, or soon after, a viral or bacterial infection. These cases of transverse myelitis are also believed to be the result of an autoimmune reaction. Rather than the viral or bacterial infection itself directly causing the inflammation, it is thought that the immune system is stimulated to fight the infection and, mistakenly, also attacks the spinal cord.
Transverse myelitis can also develop after vaccinations, although this is very rare. Again, it is thought that the immune system is triggered to respond to the vaccination and mistakenly attacks the spinal cord.
The immune system
Our immune system protects us from being infected by bacteria and viruses which can make us ill. It also fights bacterial and viral infections when we are ill with them.
An autoimmune reaction occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks our bodies’ own tissue rather than just attacking the foreign bacteria or virus.
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Contents
- What is transverse myelitis?
- What causes transverse myelitis?
- How common is transverse myelitis?
- What are the symptoms of transverse myelitis?
- Tests and investigations for transverse myelitis
- Possible treatments for transverse myelitis
- Going home
- Recovery from transverse myelitis
- Longer term effects of transverse myelitis
- Relapses
- Other demyelinating conditions
- Future treatments for transverse myelitis
- Useful contacts
- Support groups and further reading
- Thank you
- Your feedback on Transverse Myelitis
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Transverse myelitis
ISBN 978-1-901893-57-1
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References
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