Poliomyelitis; Infantile paralysis; Post-polio syndrome DefinitionPolio is a viral disease that can affect nerves and can lead to partial or full paralysis. The medical name for polio is poliomyelitis. CausesPolio is a disease caused by infection with the poliovirus. The virus spreads by:
The virus enters through the mouth and nose, multiplies in the throat and intestinal tract, and then is absorbed and spread through the blood and lymph system. The time from being infected with the virus to developing symptoms of disease (incubation) ranges from 5 to 35 days (average 7 to 14 days). Most people do not develop symptoms. Risks factors include:
As a result of a global vaccination campaign over the past 25 years, polio has largely been eliminated. The disease still exists in some countries (such as Pakistan and Afghanistan), with outbreaks occurring in groups of people who have not been vaccinated. For an updated list of these countries, visit the website: www.polioeradication.org. SymptomsThere are four basic patterns of polio infection:
INAPPARENT INFECTION Most people infected with poliovirus have inapparent infections. They usually do not have symptoms. The only way to know if someone has the infection is by performing a blood test or other tests to find the virus in the stool or throat. ABORTIVE DISEASE People who have abortive disease develop symptoms about 1 to 2 weeks after getting infected with the virus. Symptoms may include:
These symptoms last up to 5 days and people recover completely. They have no signs of nervous system problems. NONPARALYTIC POLIO People with this form of polio have signs of abortive polio and their symptoms are more intense. Other symptoms may include:
PARALYTIC POLIO This form of polio develops in a small percentage of people who are infected with the polio virus. Symptoms include those of abortive and nonparalytic polio. Other symptoms may include:
Exams and TestsDuring a physical examination, your health care provider may find:
Tests that may be done include:
TreatmentThe goal of treatment is to control symptoms while the infection runs its course. There is no specific treatment for this infection. People with severe cases may need lifesaving measures, such as help with breathing. Symptoms are treated based on how severe they are. Treatment may include:
Outlook (Prognosis)The outlook depends on the form of the disease and the body area affected. Most of the time, complete recovery is likely if the spinal cord and brain are not involved. Brain or spinal cord involvement is a medical emergency that may result in paralysis or death (usually from breathing problems). Disability is more common than death. Infection that is located high in the spinal cord or in the brain increases the risk of breathing problems. Possible ComplicationsHealth problems that may result from polio include:
Post-polio syndrome is a complication that develops in some people, usually 30 or more years after they are first infected. Muscles that were already weak may get weaker. Weakness may also develop in muscles that were not affected before. When to Contact a Medical ProfessionalContact your provider if:
PreventionPolio immunization (vaccine) prevents poliomyelitis in most people (over 90% effective). ReferencesJorgensen S, Lau M, Arnold WD. Motor neuron diseases. In: Cifu DX, ed. Braddom's Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 40. Romero JR. Poliovirus. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 171. Simões EAF. Polioviruses. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 276. | |
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Review Date: 8/26/2023 Reviewed By: Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Associate Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Associate in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. | |
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Poliomyelitis
