Poliomyelitis is a serious and potentially fatal infectious disease. This RNA Virus (polio virus) is a disease. In this, part of the spinal cord is damaged which provides strength to the muscles. Due to this, the muscles do not have the power to work and gradually they become thin and weak. The organ of a person suffering from polio does not develop properly with age and it has side effects on the structure of the body. Although polio virus can affect the spinal cord and any part of the brain, in most cases the damage occurs in the lower part of the spinal cord. It mostly affects the feet. One or both legs lose their strength, causing disability in childhood. The polio virus penetrates from one infected person's body to another, causing severe damage to the brain and spinal cord which causes paralysis.

According to the World Health Organization, 99 percent of polio cases have been reduced but many poor countries are still affected by this. Talking about India, UNICEF declared India as a polio-free country in 2011 itself. Nevertheless, to keep the country polio-free, polio vaccines are placed at a fixed time of every year.

Types of polio

Non-paralytic polio

It can only cause neck and back spasms from its activities reaching into the polio nerves but it is unlikely that it can lead to paralysis. Non-paralytic polio is also known as Abortive Polio.

Paralytic polio

Paralytic polio can develop in about 1 percent of polio cases. Paralytic polio can cause paralysis in the spinal cord (spinal polio), brainstem (bulbar polio), or both (bulbospinal polio). Its initial symptoms are similar to those of non-paralytic polio but after a week it starts getting serious.

Symptoms of polio

Non-paralytic polio

Symptoms of non-paralytic polio are usually mildly flu-like and only last for 1 to 10 days. These are as follows:

• Fever
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Vomiting
• Fatigue
• Meningitis
• Back pain or cramps
• Neck pain or cramps
• Pain or cramps in arms (hands) or legs
• muscle weakness

Symptoms of Paralytic Polio

In rare cases, polio virus infection can lead to paralytic polio which is the most severe form of polio disease. Initial symptoms such as fever and headache often appear as symptoms of non-paralytic polio but within a week, the following specific symptoms and signs of paralytic polio begin to appear:

• Loss of alertness
• Severe cramps and muscle aches.
• Loose and flabby limbs (sometimes on one side of the body).
• Sudden paralysis (temporary or permanent).
• Deformed limbs (especially the hips, ankles, and feet).

Symptoms after Polio Disease (Post Polio Syndrome)

Post-polio syndrome are usually the symptoms which occurs in a person after a few years of having polio, such as-

• Muscle weakness and joint pain.
• General fatigue after light-colored activities.
• Problems with breathing or swallowing.
• Sleep-related breathing disorders, such as sleep apnea.
• Sensitivity to cold.
• Cognitive problems, such as concentration and memory problems.
• Depression or mood changes.
• It is very rare to develop a complete paralytic condition. Permanent paralysis occurs in less than 1 percent of polio cases. In 5–10 percent of polio paralyzed cases, the virus attacks those muscles which help in breathing and it can cause death.

Causes of Polio

Polio virus is the main cause of polio. There can be many reasons for its spread, which can be included in the cause of polio, such as-

• Direct contact with an infected person.
• Contact with infected mucus from the nose and mouth.
• Contact with infected feces.
• Risk Factors of Polio