Poliomyelitis (Polio)

Division

East Florida

Hospital

St. Lucie Medical Center

Document Type

Review Article

Publication Date

6-22-2020

Keywords

virus diseases, infectious disease, myelitis, central nervous system infections

Disciplines

Diagnosis | Infectious Disease | Nervous System Diseases | Neurology | Virus Diseases

Abstract

Poliomyelitis is an infectious disease transmitted by fecal-oral contamination, with lymphatic replication. Before global health efforts, polio caused widespread morbidity and mortality in children during multiple epidemics between 1900-1950. Due to worldwide vaccination efforts that began in the 1980s, poliomyelitis is now considered almost completely eradicated.[1][2] This disease primarily impacts developing countries with poor sanitation. Healthcare providers in endemic regions should have a high suspicion of polio in patients with viral prodrome symptoms and new-onset paralysis. Consider early serologic testing because if undetected, this disease can cause a static flaccid paralysis in a minority of those infected. Post-Polio Syndrome (PPS) is a progressive syndrome of muscular weakness that may occur later in life. In light of the recent increase in polio-like illnesses in the US, it is important to correctly differentiate between poliomyelitis and other viruses such as Enterovirus D68.[3]

Publisher or Conference

StatPearls

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