Poliomyelitis

The Basics

Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate пїЅ пїЅ

What is poliomyelitis? " пїЅ Poliomyelitis (commonly called "polio " пїЅ) is an infection caused by a virus called "poliovirus. " пїЅ Most people who get polio have no symptoms. But in rare cases, polio can cause a persons muscles to stop working (called "paralysis " пїЅ) or death. пїЅ пїЅ

Polio used to be common in the US. But no cases have been reported in the US for more than 30 years. In the mid 1950s, doctors started giving a vaccine to prevent polio. It is one of the vaccines doctors recommend for all babies. пїЅ пїЅ

Polio is a still a problem in parts of Asia and Africa. People who travel from those areas to the US might have the virus and could spread it to people who have not had the vaccine. пїЅ пїЅ

What are the symptoms of polio? " пїЅ Most people with polio have no symptoms. A small number of people get symptoms that can include: пїЅ пїЅ

Headache
Sore throat
Fever
Feeling sick to your stomach (nausea) and throwing up (vomiting)
Feeling very tired

A very small number of people who have those symptoms also get more serious symptoms. These include: пїЅ пїЅ

Very bad pain in the neck, back, and muscles
Weakness or paralysis in certain muscles " пїЅ This can affect the muscles of the legs, arms, and the muscles that help you breathe.
Problems swallowing and speaking

People who survive these symptoms can get a condition called "post-polio syndrome. " пїЅ It happens many years after the infection. Symptoms include: пїЅ пїЅ

Weak, shrunken muscles
Pain
Feeling very tired
Trouble walking

How does polio spread? " пїЅ Poliovirus is most commonly spread by contact with the bowel movements (called "feces " пїЅ) of a person infected with poliovirus. This can happen different ways, including: пїЅ пїЅ

Eating foods or drinking liquids that have poliovirus in them " пїЅ This can happen if the food or water comes in contact with sewage water.
Touching surfaces or things that have feces from a person with the virus on them.

Poliovirus can also be spread through saliva (also known as "spit " пїЅ). That means people can also get polio by sharing food or utensils with an infected person. пїЅ пїЅ

Is there a test for polio? " пїЅ Yes. The main test for polio involves lumbar puncture (sometimes called a "spinal tap " пїЅ). During this procedure, a doctor puts a thin needle into the lower back and removes a small amount of spinal fluid. Spinal fluid is the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. Another doctor then does lab tests on the spinal fluid to check for poliovirus. пїЅ пїЅ

How is polio treated? " пїЅ Treatments can include: пїЅ пїЅ

Medicines to ease pain
Physical therapy
Mechanical ventilation " пїЅ This involves using a machine that helps with breathing.

Can polio be prevented? " пїЅ Getting the polio vaccine can prevent polio. This vaccine is given to babies in a series of 4 shots between the ages of 2 months and 6 years. пїЅ пїЅ

Most adults living in the US today got the vaccine during childhood. But adults who are traveling to countries where polio is still a problem should get a second series of the vaccine (called a polio "booster " пїЅ) for extra protection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updates a list of these countries at this website: wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/in-the-news/polio-outbreaks.htm. пїЅ пїЅ

All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. пїЅ пїЅ

This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. пїЅ пїЅ

Topic 83751 Version 5.0 пїЅ пїЅ

Release: 22.8 - C22.208 пїЅ пїЅ

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Poliomyelitis

The Basics

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

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