Polio (Poliomyelitis)

 

Poliomyelitis is an acute, viral disease spread from person to person, mainly through the feacal oral route, contaminated food and contaminated water. It can cause both death and permenant disability. 

 

Symptoms

 

• Fatigue

• Fever

• Headache

• Nausea

• Flu-like symptoms

• Stiffness of the back and neck

• Pain in arms and legs

• Sore throat

 

 

5-10% of patients with paralytic polio die. 50% of people who survive have some degree of paraylsis. Half of these people have mild disability whilst the remaining 50% have permanent serious disabilities.

 

Prevention

 

There is currently no cure for Polio, and vaccination is the best prevention available.