Poliomyelitis and post-polio syndrome

Extract

• Poliomyelitis (polio) is a highly contagious disease, but in the majority of cases it causes no symptoms.
• Since the implementation of polio vaccines the number of cases has greatly reduced, and many countries are now thought to have eliminated the poliovirus. Infection is possible in certain countries of Asia and Africa if immunization coverage is suboptimal.
• Rapidly developing flaccid paralysis is asymmetrical. Sensation is preserved in the paralysed limbs.
• Post-polio syndrome (e.g. fatigue, muscle weakness, myalgia and arthralgia) is a condition that affects patients several years after recovery from an initial acute attack. The treatment of these late effects is symptomatic (analgesia, exercises, rest, weight control, assistive devices).

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Search terms

A80, B91, Cerebrospinal Fluid, Guillain-Barre Syndrome, Infectious diseases, Neurology, PPS, Poliomyelitis, Postpoliomyelitis Syndrome