Poliomyelitis shows a wide range of possible clinical scenarios. In the majority of them (around 95%), the disease is asymptomatic or shows flu-like symptoms which do not represent a major concern for the patient. The remaining 5% of the cases are divided in two major groups: non-paralytic poliomyelitis, representing 4% of the cases, and paralytic poliomyelitis, representing around 1% of the cases. The non-paralytic form shows the usual flu-like symptoms plus aseptic meningitis. The paralytic type, instead, shows a series of other clinical manifestations which follow a gradual progression. At the beginning, the disease appears as a flu-like illness whose symptoms subside within a few days. Then, an asymmetrical, flaccid motor paralysis begins to appear, which mainly affects the lower limbs and peaks after 48 hours. In about 10-25% of the cases this second stage might progress into a third one, represented by a bulbar form of paralysis. The classical symptoms of this third stage include hyper- or hypotension, respiratory failure, dysphagia and dysphonia. In rare cases, the penetration of the central neuron system might be so severe that acute encephalitis can occur.

• Fever

  In contrast to GBS, weakness occurs at the height of the fever and generally does not progress after the fever subsides. An asymmetrical, flaccid paralysis develops in most patients, typically affecting proximal more than distal muscles. [archneur.jamanetwork.com]

  Both patients had fevers but no signs of meningitis at onset. Tendon reflexes were absent or reduced in affected regions. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

• Malaise

  Symptoms are slight fever, malaise, headache, sore throat, and vomiting 3-5 days after exposure. Recovery occurs in 24-72 hours. This is termed the abortive type of polio. Polio as a major illness may or may not be paralytic. [medicinenet.com]

  They include malaise, headache, sore throat, slight fever, vomiting. [wikilectures.eu]

  SUBCLINICAL INFECTION SYMPTOMS General discomfort or uneasiness ( malaise ) Headache Red throat Slight fever Sore throat Vomiting People with subclinical polio infection might not have symptoms, or mild symptoms may last 72 hours or less. [nlm.nih.gov]

  Symptomatic disease is classified as Abortive poliomyelitis Paralytic or nonparalytic poliomyelitis Most symptomatic infections, particularly in young children, are minor, with 1 to 3 days of slight fever, malaise, headache, sore throat, and vomiting, [merckmanuals.com]

• Acutely Ill Patient

  DIAGNOSIS The diagnosis is made by identifying poliovirus in clinical specimens (usually stool) obtained from an acutely ill patient. [wwwnc.cdc.gov]

• Difficulty Climbing Stairs

  climbing Stairs N/A 61% 67%[ a ] 82% Difficulty with ADLS 14% 17% 16% 62% a Most common new problem. [web.archive.org]

• Hoarseness

  […] the neck and along the spine For paralytic poliomyelitis the symptoms of nonparalytic and abortive poliomyelitis muscle weakness all over severe constipation muscle wasting weakened breathing difficulty swallowing weak cough flushed or blotchy skin hoarse [childrenshospital.org]

  Watch for: Difficulty breathing Weakness Hoarseness or wheezing Rapid heart rate Hives Dizziness If you or your child has an allergic reaction after any shot, get medical help immediately. [mayoclinic.org]

  Although most rhinovirus infections manifest as mild common colds with rhinorrhea, nasal obstruction, fever, sore throat, coughs, and hoarseness lasting for a few days, serious lower respiratory tract illnesses in infants are common. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

• Vomiting

  The most common include For abortive poliomyelitis fever (up to 103º F) decreased appetite nausea and/or vomiting sore throat not feeling well constipation abdominal pain For nonparalytic poliomyelitis headache, nausea and vomiting may be worse child [childrenshospital.org]

  Initial symptoms of polio include fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, stiffness in the neck, and pain in the limbs. In a small proportion of cases, the disease causes paralysis, which is often permanent. [who.int]

  – Non-paralytic form: a non-specific febrile illness with muscle pain, headache, vomiting, backache; no neurological involvement. [medicalguidelines.msf.org]

• Diarrhea

  The remaining 5% show the typical signs of this disease which include fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, neck stiffness and pain in arms and legs. [symptoma.com]

  Abortive polio: In these cases, polio is a mild illness, with viral-like symptoms such as fever, fatigue, headache, sore throat, nausea, and diarrhea. [historyofvaccines.org]

  The signs and symptoms of subclinical polio last approximately 72 hours and may include: No symptoms in some Headache General discomfort Sore throat Vomiting The signs and symptoms of nonparalytic polio last approximately 1 – 2 weeks and may include: Diarrhea [infdisease.iaff.org]

  He had a mild frontal headache and diffuse arthralgias during the preceding week, without fever or diarrhea. [archneur.jamanetwork.com]

• Nausea

  The most common include For abortive poliomyelitis fever (up to 103º F) decreased appetite nausea and/or vomiting sore throat not feeling well constipation abdominal pain For nonparalytic poliomyelitis headache, nausea and vomiting may be worse child [childrenshospital.org]

  Symptoms Non-specific symptoms which may also occur with other virus infections are seen in the early stages of the illness: nausea, headaches, fever and possibly diarrhoea. [ottobock-export.com]

  Patients may complain of fever, sore throat, headaches, nausea and vomiting and generalised muscular pains. Diarrhoea may be a presenting symptom. In those with progressive disease paralysis may develop. [tmb.ie]

  Gastrointestinal disturbances (nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea), muscle pain and meningeal symptoms may also occur. Look for the polio virus in stool samples. [medicalguidelines.msf.org]

• Constipation

  The most common include For abortive poliomyelitis fever (up to 103º F) decreased appetite nausea and/or vomiting sore throat not feeling well constipation abdominal pain For nonparalytic poliomyelitis headache, nausea and vomiting may be worse child [childrenshospital.org]

  Muscle stiffness or spasms Rash The signs and symptoms of paralytic polio may not resolve and include: Drooling Muscle pain, contractions, spasms Muscle weakness (especially on only one side) Abnormal sensations Breathing difficulty Bloating and/or constipation [infdisease.iaff.org]

  The symptoms of paralytic infections are: abnormal sensations bloated feeling in abdomen constipation difficulty beginning to urinate breathing difficulty drooling fever 5-7 days headache irritability muscle spasms in the calf stiff neck and back swallowing [lifesafe.wordpress.com]

  Triphala: is an ayurvedic remedy that helps to cure a lot health related issues such as constipation, digestion, purification of blood and it also aids in treating polio – a deadly disease that has been haunting human kind for centuries now. [nigeriagalleria.com]

• Cyanosis

  Patients may have symptoms and signs, such as hiccough, shallowness and slowing of respiration, cyanosis, restlessness, and anxiety. [sites.google.com]

  Cyanosis or blueness of the skin will occur as the tissues lose their oxygen. Decreased levels of consciousness may occur because of the low blood pressure, decreased brain perfusion, and low oxygenation. [emedicinehealth.com]

  […] that usually worsens when taking a deep breath, known as pleuritic pain fast heartbeat fatigue and weakness nausea and vomiting diarrhea sweating headache muscle pain confusion or delirium, especially in older adults dusky or purplish skin color, or cyanosis [medicalnewstoday.com]

  […] stabbing, ipsilateral pleuritic chest pain and dyspnea Reduced, or absent breath sounds, hyperresonant percussion, decreased fremitus on the ipsilateral side Subcutaneous emphysema Additionally in tension pneumothorax: Severe acute respiratory distress: cyanosis [amboss.com]

  Other symptoms may include: a steady ache in the chest shortness of breath, or dyspnea breaking out in a cold sweat tightness in the chest turning blue, or cyanosis severe tachycardia, or a fast heart rate The risk factors are different for a traumatic [healthline.com]

• Muscle Weakness

  BACKGROUND: Polio infection can often lead to orthopedic complications such as arthritis, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, skeletal deformation, and chronic instability of the joints. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Type 1 is the most common of these three and certainly the one closely associated with muscle weakness and paralysis. [symptoma.com]

• Muscular Atrophy

  We report the case of PPS in a patient, 40 years, that thirty-five years after had had paralytic poliomyelitis, developed new symptoms of fatigue, muscular atrophy, dyspnea, difficulties in deambulation and muscular and joint pain. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  atrophy Increasing joint instability/joint deformities Cramping Subsultus (fasciculation) Changes in gait pattern and/or an increased tendency to fall Therapy Since no causative antiviral therapy exists, treatment is limited to symptomatic measures. [ottobock-export.com]

  Figarella-Branger, Expression of developmentally regulated cytoskeleton and cell surface proteins in childhood spinal muscular atrophies, Journal of the Neurological Sciences, 133, 1-2, (155), (1995). [doi.org]

• Myalgia

  In paralytic poliomyelitis, muscle weakness is preceded by intense myalgias of the involved limbs and axial skeleton. [medlink.com]

  GBS, the fever, short latent period, and CSF pleocytosis suggested an acute infectious process, and with the MRI findings were characteristic of poliomyelitis. 3, 5, 7 - 12 The prodrome of paralytic poliomyelitis consists of malaise, headache, fever, myalgias [archneur.jamanetwork.com]

• Muscle Tenderness

  Before one week signs & symptoms explicit to paralytic polio surfaces and they include: • Reflex loss • Relentless muscle tenderness/ weakness • Loose and flaccid limbs Causes The history of the fight against this disease The polio virus exists in only [wikisickness.com]

  Symptoms/Signs of Nonparalytic Poliomyelitis Arm and leg pain or stiffness Abnormal reflexes Back and neck pain and stiffness, Fatigue Fever Headache Muscle tenderness and spasms Problems swallowing and/or breathing Sore throat in the absence of upper [nigeriagalleria.com]

  Non-paralytic poliomyelitis Symptoms include back pain or backache, diarrhea, excessive tiredness, fatigue, headache, irritability, leg pain (calf muscles), moderate fever, muscle stiffness, muscle tenderness and spasm in any area of the body, neck pain [wikilectures.eu]

  tenderness disappear, and the paralyzed muscles begin to recover. [emedicine.medscape.com]

• Foot Deformity

  Correction of complex foot deformities using the Ilizarov external fixator. J Foot Ankle Surg. 2002 Jan-Feb. 41 (1):30-9. [Medline]. Narayan A, Ganesan S, Shenoy UV, Narayanan E. [emedicine.medscape.com]

  Image copyright Getty Images Image caption This Egyptian stele (an upright stone carving) dating from 1403-1365BC shows a priest with a walking stick and foot, deformities characteristic of polio. [bbc.co.uk]

  This Egyptian stele (an upright stone carving) dating from 1403-1365BC shows a priest with a walking stick and foot, deformities characteristic of polio. [web.archive.org]

  Correction of complex foot deformities using the Ilizarov external fixator. J Foot Ankle Surg. 2002;41(1):30–39 [PubMed] [Google Scholar] 20. National Museum of American History. Polio: two vaccines. . Accessed November 24, 2013 [Google Scholar] 21. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

• Flaccid Paralysis

  The objective of this paper was to review the need for acute flaccid paralysis surveillance by presenting two cases. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

• Headache

  She had a history of high fever, headache, and gait disturbance. Neurologic examination confirmed spastic triparesis, urinary incontinence, diminution of tactile sensation, and vision deterioration. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Symptoms are fever, severe headache, stiff neck and back, deep muscle pain, and sometimes areas of hyperesthesia (increased sensation) and paresthesia (altered sensation). [medicinenet.com]

  Initial symptoms of polio include fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, stiffness in the neck, and pain in the limbs. In a small proportion of cases, the disease causes paralysis, which is often permanent. [who.int]

  Symptoms of i nfection: The symptoms of subclinical infections are: general discomfort headache red throat sore throat vomiting slight fewer Up to 95% of patients with subclinical polio infections may not show the symptoms or they may last 72 hours or [lifesafe.wordpress.com]

• Meningism

  Common manifestations of paralytic poliomyelitis in addition to aseptic meningitis include deep muscle pain, hyperesthesias, paresthesias, and, during active myelitis, urinary retention and muscle spasms. [merckmanuals.com]

  […] non-septic meningitis, followed by a few days of being symptoms free then paralysis develops lower limbs more often affected than upper limbs Plain radiograph and CT With acute infection, no radiographic features are typically evident. [radiopaedia.org]

  Both patients had fevers but no signs of meningitis at onset. Tendon reflexes were absent or reduced in affected regions. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Related: Cholera on the Horn of Africa Niger meningitis outbreak: MSF teams have vaccinated more than 358,800 people Meningitis established as cause of Liberia cluster Nigeria meningitis outbreak climbs past 14,000 cases, situation improving Malaria outbreak [outbreaknewstoday.com]

• Stroke

  Blood clots also may form in the heart, leading to a stroke or heart attack. Cor pulmonale. [web.archive.org]

  External links[edit] Classification D ICD-10: G14 ICD-9-CM: 138 MeSH: D016262 DiseasesDB: 34441 External resources eMedicine: pmr/110 Patient UK: Post-polio syndrome National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke-Post-polio [en.wikipedia.org]

  A systematic review of the worldwide prevalence of survivors of poliomyelitis reported in 31 studies Kelly M Jones 1, Shivanthi Balalla 1, Alice Theadom 1, Gordon Jackman 2, Valery L Feigin 1 1 National Institute for Stroke and Applied Neurosciences, [bmjopen.bmj.com]

  […] can get pneumonia, but those most at risk for the lung infection are children under age 5, adults 65 and over, cigarette smokers and people with other health problems or weak immune systems, such as chronic lung problems, heart failure, diabetes and stroke [livescience.com]

• Guillain-Barré Syndrome

  The most severe cases of Guillain-Barré Syndrome often have persistent objective sensory loss, associated with greater weakness in the feet and hands, which show no resemblance to FDR's impairment and disability. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Ropper AHWijdicks EFMTruax BT Guillain-Barré Syndrome. Philadelphia, Pa: FA Davis Co Publishers; 1991. 5. Yohannan MDRamia SAl Frayh ARS Acute paralytic poliomyelitis presenting as Guillain-Barré syndrome. J Infect. 1991;22:129-133. [archneur.jamanetwork.com]

• Urinary Retention

  Initial urinary retention is common. Gastrointestinal disturbances (nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea), muscle pain and meningeal symptoms may also occur. Look for the polio virus in stool samples. [medicalguidelines.msf.org]

  Common manifestations of paralytic poliomyelitis in addition to aseptic meningitis include deep muscle pain, hyperesthesias, paresthesias, and, during active myelitis, urinary retention and muscle spasms. [merckmanuals.com]

  retention. v Stiffness and pain in the neck and back because of meningeal irritation, as well as abnormalities of autonomic function, also can be seen in some patients. v Cranial nerve involvement o Approximately 10-15% of cases affect the lower brainstem [sites.google.com]

  A 50-year-old man had a 3-day history of urinary retention, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, and chills without fever, followed by leg weakness. Within several days he became lethargic and developed arm weakness. [archneur.jamanetwork.com]

• Urinary Incontinence

  Neurologic examination confirmed spastic triparesis, urinary incontinence, diminution of tactile sensation, and vision deterioration. Hemography, serum laboratory findings, and urinalysis were normal. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Physical examination of the subjects affected might show acute onset of flaccid paralysis in one or more limbs. Furthermore, the limbs affected appear to have decreased or absent tendon reflexes not related to another etiological factor, with no sensory or cognitive loss associated [25].

Laboratory studies reveal the presence of poliovirus, especially in the blood, very early during the course of the infection [2]. Moreover, by performing a lumbar puncture it is possible to reveal high concentrations of white blood cells and slightly elevated protein levels in the cerebrospinal fluid of the patient. PCR is also frequently used as diagnostic test, as it can allow to distinguish the wild type of poliovirus, which is usually found in nature, from the vaccine type, coming from a strain developed to produce vaccine [26].

• Hypercapnia

  A similar finding of central involvement of respiration was noted by Plum, who also stressed the importance of hypercapnia. Plum emphasized measurements of vital capacity and techniques to minimize trauma with suctioning after tracheostomy. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  When not corrected, insidiously progressive hypercapnia leads to a compensatory metabolic alkalosis. [web.archive.org]

There is no treatment of poliomyelitis, apart for the treatment of minor pathological conditions like paralysis and respiratory complications whose aim is to prevent or limit disease progression.

The gastrointestinal complications are usually treated through oral rehydration and/or fluids administered intravenously to prevent volume depletion. Unfortunately, paralytic poliomyelitis too has no treatment, and the limb affected is simply immobilized early to perform physical therapy and minimize handicaps [24] [27] [28] [29]. Limb paralysis might progress into respiratory paralysis, a dangerous and life-threatening stage which requires supportive measures including incubation and ventilation [30].

There might be another poliomyelitis-related syndrome that usually manifests itself many years after the appearance of paralytic poliomyelitis, known as postpoliomyelitis syndrome. This pathological condition consists if fatigue, weakness and wasting of the affected limbs that requires immobilization and physical therapy [31] [32] [33].

It is important to notify any case of poliomyelitis to the local health authorities when it appears.

The prognosis of poliomyelitis is generally good. The milder types of poliovirus infections are asymptomatic and carry no specific complication, while in the cases of paralytic poliomyelitis muscle function gradually returns back to normal with no residual paralysis for most of the time. Rare instead, are the cases of death, which occur much more frequently in adults than children usually as bulbar poliomyelitis. If death comes, this generally occurs within 2 weeks from infection.

Poliomyelitis is caused by poliovirus, an enterovirus belonging to the family Picornaviridae. This is a classical RNA virus, made up of a RNA genome of around 7500 nucleotides [10] protected and enveloped by a protein capsid [11]. The virus mainly attacks the gastrointestinal tract [12] especially the oropharynx and intestine, with an incubation time ranging from 3 to 35 days. So far, three serotypes have been identified, type 1, type 2, and type 3. Type 1 is the most common of these three and certainly the one closely associated with muscle weakness and paralysis [13].

Poliomyelitis is mainly transmitted via fecal-oral route [14], especially in poor regions, but in areas with good hygienic conditions it can occasionally spread via oral-oral route [13]. The disease has a seasonal transmission trend, with a peak during summer and winter, and appears to affect only human beings.

Poliomyelitis has been eradicated in the western world since 1991 [15], apart from some travel-related cases which occurred in the US [16] over the last few years. The other countries can be divided in two major groups: the ones where the disorder is endemic and the ones where it is sporadic. 131 new cases were reported in 2012, 115 of which occurred in endemic countries and 16 in non-endemic ones [17]. Endemic regions include countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Nigeria, while non-endemic ones include countries like Somalia, Equatorial Guinea, Cameron, and Iraq. The majority of these countries are in the tropical region, with a peak of transmission at the end of summer perhaps due to the confluence of hot temperatures and rainy conditions. Unfortunately, the vast majority of these cases is represented by children less than 36 months of age. There is no epidemiological difference in the epidemiology between females and males [18] [19].

Poliovirus enters the body through the mouth, where it begins to move towards the gastrointestinal system. From here, it spreads to the tonsils, the intestinal lymphoid tissue and the deep cervical and mesenteric lymph nodes, where the virus finds the perfect conditions to multiply. Poliovirus then returns to the bloodstream and the other sites of the body [20], such as brown fat, reticuloendothelial tissues, and muscles [21]. The central nervous system [22] is another site sometimes reached by poliovirus, even though experts believe this is just an accidental deviation from the normal intestinal infection, with no relation with the age, gender, and socioeconomic position of the individual affected [23]. Here, poliovirus mainly affect motor neurons in the anterior horn and brainstem, and this is the reason why it causes the development of acute flaccid paralysis [24].

Vaccination is the primary means of prevention [34]. The polio vaccine has proved to be effective in blocking person-to-person transmission and therefore preventing the spread of the infection in large communities. Vaccines should not be given to those who have experienced anaphylactic reaction to a previous dose of IPV-containing vaccines or to neomycin, streptomycin and polymyxin B.

Poliovirus can invade several parts of the human body. It usually firstly affects the lymphatic tissue and enters the blood stream, where it can reach motor neurons causing flaccid paralysis. For this broad action, poliovirus can cause a wide spectrum of possible effects, from asymptomatic to meningitic or paralytic acute illness, many of which can provoke a characteristic permanent muscle weakness. The majority of the cases, from 90% to 95%, have no symptoms [1], while the remaining 5 to 10% are characterized by several signs such as fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, neck stiffness and pain in arms and legs [1] [2]. Unfortunately, from 2% to 5% of children and from 15% to 30% of adults who show muscle weakness die.

Poliovirus usually spreads from person to person through infected feces generally found in food, water, or saliva. There is no particular treatment for poliomyelitis, and even though a vaccine has been developed, the disease is still widespread, especially in poor countries such as Afghanistan, Nigeria, and Pakistan, where polio vaccination is highly recommended [3].

With descriptions of its effects present in ancient Egyptian art, poliomyelitis is one of the most ancient diseases known by human beings. The infection was first described at the end of the 18th century, while poliovirus was first identified at the beginning of the 20th century [4]. Although the vaccine was developed in the 1950s [5], the disorder still remains a concerning childhood disease [6], especially in poor regions like Asia, Africa and the Middle East [7]. New cases have been reported in Syria in 2013 [8], but experts hope to globally eradicate the disease by 2018 [9].

Poliomyelitis is the infectious disease caused by poliovirus. This virus can invade many parts of the body, causing a wide range of clinical manifestations. The great majority of the cases, around 95%, show no signs and symptoms, and are therefore called “asymptomatic”. The remaining 5% show the typical signs of this disease which include fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, neck stiffness and pain in arms and legs. The condition might degenerate and cause paralysis of the limbs, especially legs, with great negative consequences for the life of the people affected.

The infection is still widespread in poor countries, especially the tropical ones, where the cases of death number around several hundred each year. In the western world the disease has been totally eradicated, apart from some travel-related cases of people who got the infection abroad.

There is no treatment for poliomyelitis, and prevention is only possible through vaccination.

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