Polio

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one among 200 polio infections results in permanent paralysis and this disease has been eradicated thanks to the development of a polio vaccine. The most recent WHO poll, in 2010, reported only 1,352 cases of polio worldwide. (WHO).”

Overview

Polio also called as Poliomyelitis. It is a viral disease that destroys the nerve cells present in the spinal cord, causing paralysis or muscle weakness to some parts of the body. It is a contagious disease affecting the nervous system and is caused by Picornaviridae – a poliovirus.

The virus is transmitted by person-to-person through the following ways –

1) Through the faecal-oral route.

2) By contaminated water or food.

This virus primarily grows and multiplies in the intestine, from where it can attack the nervous system and will cause polio and paralysis on an advanced level.

Also Read:  Communicable and Non CommunicableDiseases 

What is Poliomyelitis?

Poliomyelitis in nothing but the scientific term or synonym of the disease Polio. In very rare cases it causes muscle weakness resulting in an inability to move or paralysis. Poliovirus can spread from person to person or by food or water containing human faeces and less commonly from infected saliva.

Types Of Polio

There are three types of polio infections:

1) Subclinical: This type of polio do not experience any symptoms as this does not affect the central nervous system – the brain and spinal cord. 95 per cent of polio cases identified are usually subclinical.

2) Non-paralytic: This type of polio does affect the central nervous system, but does not result in paralysis.

3) Paralytic: This is the most serious and rarest form of polio as it results in full or partial paralysis in the patient. Three types of paralytic polio are –

1. Spinal Polio – As the name suggests, it affects the spine.
2. Bulbar Polio – It affects the brainstem.
3. Bulbospinal Polio – It affects the spine and brainstem.

Also Read: Central Nervous System

Signs and Symptoms of Poliomyelitis

As we discussed, there are three different types of polio, so the symptoms also vary. If a person is infected with Sub-clinical Polio then he can face the following symptoms 

• Headache.
• Slight fever.
• Sore and red throat.
• General discomfort.
• Vomiting.

The following are the symptoms of Non-paralytic Polio –

• Fever.
• A sore throat.
• Vomiting.
• Headache.
• Fatigue.
• Abnormal reflexes.
• Stiffness and pain in arm and leg pain.
• Problems with swallowing and breathing.
• Back pain, particularly neck stiffness.
• Muscle tenderness and spasms.

People with paralytic polio experience the symptoms of Non-paralytic Polio followed by these symptoms-

• Loss of reflexes.
• Severe spasms and muscle pain.
• Loose and floppy limbs.
• Sudden paralysis.
• Deformed limbs.

Also Read: Symptoms of various Disease

To learn more about polio and other infectious diseases, visit BYJU’S Biology.