While GBS is more common in men and adults older than 50, anyone can develop it, the agency says. .

Several things are known to trigger GBS and about two-thirds of people with the disorder had diarrhea or a respiratory illness several weeks before developing symptoms

Infection with Campylobacter jejuni is one of the most common risk factors for GBS and people can also develop it after some other infections including flu, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus and Zika virus. 

"Very rarely, people have developed GBS in the days or weeks after receiving certain vaccines," the CDC wrote

Symptoms of the disorder include weakness or tingling sensations in both legs, often spreading to the arms and upper body. 

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke explains additional symptoms include difficulty with eye muscles and vision, difficulty swallowing, speaking or chewing, severe pain at night, coordination problems and unsteadiness, problems with bladder control or digestion and abnormal heartbeat/rate or blood pressure

Symptoms can heighten, progressing over hours, days or weeks – though weakness typically peaks within the first two weeks after symptoms appear.