Understanding Polio
Polio, or poliomyelitis, is a disabling and life-threatening disease caused by the poliovirus. The virus spreads from person to person and can infect a person’s spinal cord, causing paralysis.
Key Fact: Most people who get infected with poliovirus will not have any visible symptoms, but about 1 in 200 infections leads to irreversible paralysis.
Common Symptoms
Fever and Sore Throat
Initial flu-like symptoms that usually last 2 to 5 days.
Muscle Weakness
Loss of reflexes and severe muscle weakness or floppy limbs (acute flaccid paralysis).
Paresthesia
Feeling of 'pins and needles' in the legs.
Meningitis
Infection of the covering of the spinal cord and/or brain, occurring in about 1 in 25 people with poliovirus.
Risk Factors
- Traveling to areas where polio still occurs
- Lack of vaccination
- Working in a laboratory where poliovirus is handled
Diagnosis & Treatment
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is based on symptoms and lab tests on stool or throat specimens.
Common Treatments
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Polio Vaccine (IPV): The best way to protect against polio is to get vaccinated.
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Supportive Care: Bed rest, pain relievers, and portable ventilators to assist with breathing.
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Physical Therapy: Focused exercises to help with muscle coordination and prevent loss of function.