Understanding pandas
Welcome to Nolan's PANDAS Story. This page explains PANDAS, its symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments. We hope to reach everyone seeking information about this condition. Learn what PANDAS is and how it affects individuals, particularly children.
What is pandas?
PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections) is a condition where strep infections trigger an autoimmune response. This response causes neuropsychiatric symptoms. These symptoms can include obsessive-compulsive behaviors, tics, anxiety, and more.
How does pandas work?
When a child gets a strep infection, the body produces antibodies to fight the bacteria. In PANDAS, these antibodies mistakenly attack the brain, particularly the basal ganglia. This leads to inflammation and the sudden onset of neuropsychiatric symptoms.
Diagnosis and treatment
Diagnosing PANDAS involves a thorough evaluation, including medical history, symptom assessment, and lab tests to confirm a recent strep infection. Treatments may include antibiotics to clear the infection, immunomodulatory therapies to reduce the autoimmune response, and psychiatric medications to manage symptoms.
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