Acute Flaccid myelitis, or AFM, mimics cold or flu symptoms at first, then becomes much more serious.
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Julia Payne, 2, from Batavia has been fighting AFM for almost a month. It's a condition that affects the spinal cord. Most patients who get it have a sudden onset of limb weakness and experience paralysis.
Julia's parents said she will begin rehab Tuesday, but her fight is far from over.
"It's really just a common cold virus and it attacked Julia's body and spinal cord a certain way, and it seems to be happening to other kids too," said Julia's dad, Josh Payne.
"Statistically it's a small amount but I mean, it happened to us. So we just want to help any other family out there that could be affected," Julia's mom Katie Payne said.
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Doctors at Lurie said parents need to watch out for symptoms such as the sudden onset of arm and leg weakness, difficulty swallowing and sometimes slurring of the speech.
A father from Chesterton, Ind. said his 8-year-old daughter also has AFM.
There are at least 38 confirmed cases in 16 states.