Polio
Polio
Polio, also known as Poliomyelitis (pronounced poh-lee-oh-my-uh-LY-tis), is an infectious disease caused by the Poliovirus. The term "polio" is derived from the Greek word "poliós" meaning "grey," referring to the grey matter of the Spinal cord which is often affected by the disease.
Causes
Polio is caused by the Poliovirus, a member of the genus Enterovirus in the family Picornaviridae. The virus is transmitted through fecal-oral route or less commonly through a common vehicle (such as contaminated water or food).
Symptoms
Polio infection can be asymptomatic or symptomatic. Symptomatic polio can be classified into non-paralytic and paralytic forms. The symptoms of non-paralytic polio include fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, stiffness in the neck, and pain in the limbs. In paralytic polio, the virus affects the Central nervous system, causing muscle weakness and acute flaccid paralysis.
Prevention
Polio can be prevented through Immunization with polio vaccine. There are two types of vaccine: inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) and oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV).
Treatment
There is no cure for polio. The treatment is supportive, aimed at relieving symptoms and improving quality of life. This may include pain relief medication, physical therapy, and in severe cases, ventilatory support.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Polio
- Wikipedia's article - Polio
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