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poliomyelitis

Poliomyelitis, better known as polio, is a viral disease that can affect nerves and can lead to partial or full paralysis.

​Signs & Symptoms
Some people who develop symptoms from the poliovirus contract nonparalytic polio. Signs and symptoms, which generally last one to 10 days, include:
  • Fever
  • Sore throat
  • Headache
  • Vomiting
  • Fatigue
  • Back pain or stiffness
  • Neck pain or stiffness
  • Pain or stiffness in the arms or legs
  • Muscle weakness or tenderness
  • Meningitis

In rare cases, poliovirus infection leads to paralytic polio, the most serious form of the disease. Signs and symptoms include:
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Loss of reflexes
  • Severe muscle aches or weakness
  • Loose and floppy limbs (flaccid paralysis), often worse on one side of the body

Risk Factors
  • Not immunized pr vaccinated against the disease
  • In areas with poor or noexistant immunization programs, pregnant women, the very young, and those with weakened immue systems are especially susceptible.
These factors also increase your risk if you haven't been vaccinated:
  • Travel to an area where polio is common or that has recently experienced an outbreak
  • Living with or caring for someone who may be shedding poliovirus
  • A compromised immune system, such as occurs with HIV infection
  • Having had your tonsils removed (tonsillectomy)
  • Extreme stress or strenuous physical activity after being exposed to poliovirus

Complications
Post-polio syndrome is a cluster of disabling signs and symptoms that affect some people several years (an average of 35 years after they had polio). Common signs and symptoms include:
  • Progressive muscle or joint weakness and pain
  • General fatigue and exhaustion after minimal activity
  • Muscle atrophy
  • Breathing or swallowing problems
  • Sleep-related breathing disorders, such as sleep apnea
  • Decreased tolerance of cold temperatures
  • Cognitive problems
    • concentration
    • memory difficulties
  • Depression or mood swings

Communicable / Non-communicable
Communicable
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  • Home
  • Diseases
    • Alzheimer's Disease
    • Anemia
    • Coronary Artery Disease (Heart Disease)
    • Cushing's Syndrome
    • Diabetes
    • Measles
    • Mononucleosis
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Parkinson's Disease
    • Poliomyelitis
    • Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Smallpox
    • Staph Infection
    • Stroke
    • Tuberculosis
    • Viral Meningitis
  • Vital Signs +
  • Treatments
  • Works Cited