Polio

Definition

Poliomyelitis is a viral disease that can affect nerves and can lead to partial or full paralysis.

Symptoms

There are three basic patterns of polio infection: subclinical infections, nonparalytic, and paralytic. Approximately 95% of infections are subclinical infections, which may not have symptoms.

SUBCLINICAL INFECTION

• General discomfort or uneasiness (malaise)
• Headache
• Red throat
• Slight fever
• Sore throat
• Vomiting

People with subclinical polio infection might not have symptoms, or their symptoms may last 72 hours or less.

Clinical poliomyelitis affects the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), and is divided into nonparalytic and paralytic forms. It may occur after recovery from a subclinical infection.

NONPARALYTIC POLIOMYELITIS

• Back pain or backache
• Diarrhea
• Excessive tiredness, fatigue
• Headache
• Irritability
• Leg pain (calf muscles)
• Moderate fever
• Muscle stiffness
• Muscle tenderness and spasm in any area of the body
• Neck pain and stiffness
• Pain in front part of neck
• Pain or stiffness of the back, arms, legs, abdomen
• Skin rash or lesion with pain
• Vomiting

Symptoms usually last 1 - 2 weeks.

PARALYTIC POLIOMYELITIS

• Fever 5 - 7 days before other symptoms
• Abnormal sensations (but not loss of sensation) in an area
• Bloated feeling in abdomen
• Breathing difficulty
• Constipation
• Difficulty beginning to urinate
• Drooling
• Headache
• Irritability or poor temper control
• Muscle contractions or muscle spasms in the calf, neck, or back
• Muscle pain
• Muscle weakness, asymmetrical (only on one side or worse on one side)
  • Comes on quickly
  • Location depends on where the spinal cord is affected
  • Worsens into paralysis
• Sensitivity to touch; mild touch may be painful
• Stiff neck and back
• Swallowing difficulty

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