Polio history and symptoms

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief:  João André Alves Silva, M.D. [2]

## Overview

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Most cases of poliomyelitis are asymptomatic. The symptomatic cases may occur as 3 different clinical syndromes. 4 to 8% of the symptomatic cases present as abortive poliomyelitis, a mild form of the disease that may include symptoms similar to those of gastroenteritis, acute respiratory infection and flu-like disease. Two percent of the symptomatic cases present as non-paralytic poliomyelitis, with symptoms that may include fever, headache, neck, back, abdominal, limb pain, sensory abnormalities, muscle spasms, and irritability. In less than 1% of symptomatic cases, the disease presents as paralytic poliomyelitis, with symptoms of non-paralytic poliomyelitis, as well as muscle weakness, asymmetrical paralysis, muscle atrophy, tremors, and skeletal deformities.

## History and Symptoms

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* About 95% of patients with a healthy immune system do not develop symptoms of poliomyelitis.[1]
* Approximately 4 to 8% of infections with poliovirus result in minor, nonspecific disease, without clinical or laboratory evidence of CNS involvement. This form of the disease is called abortive poliomyelitis.[1]
* In about 1 to 2% of poliovirus infections, the disease manifests as non-paralytic poliomyelitis. Symptoms usually appear several days after an initial prodrome that is similar to that of abortive poliomyelitis.[1]
* Less than 1% of patients infected with poliovirus develop paralytic poliomyelitis. In this form of the disease, symptoms usually appear 1 to 10 days after the initial prodromal symptoms, progressing over 2 to 3 days.[1]

### Abortive Poliomyelitis

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Common symptoms of abortive poliomyelitis may mimic those of gastroenteritis, acute respiratory infection, and influenza-like disease, such as:[2]

* Fever
* Nausea
* Vomiting
* Diarrhea
* Constipation
* Headache
* Sore throat

### Non-Paralytic Poliomyelitis

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Common symptoms of non-paralytic poliomyelitis may include:[2]

* Fever
* Headache
* Neck pain
* Back pain
* Abdominal pain
* Limb pain
* Sensory abnormalities
* Vomiting
* Lethargy
* Irritability
* Muscle spasms

### Paralytic Poliomyelitis

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Common symptoms of paralytic poliomyelitis may include those of non-paralytic poliomyelitis. Additional symptoms may include:[3][2][4]

* Muscle weakness
* Asymmetrical paralysis
* Muscle atrophy
* Tremors
* Skeletal deformities
* Shortness of breath[5]

## References

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1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Poliomyelitis".
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Falconer M, Bollenbach E (2000). "Late functional loss in nonparalytic polio". American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation / Association of Academic Physiatrists. 79 (1): 19–23. PMID 10678598.
3. ↑ Wood, Lawrence D. H.; Hall, Jesse B.; Schmidt, Gregory D. (2005). Principles of Critical Care, Third Edition. McGraw-Hill Professional. p. 870\. ISBN 0-07-141640-4.CS1 maint: Multiple names: authors list (link)
4. ↑ Alcalá H (1993). "[The differential diagnosis of poliomyelitis and other acute flaccid paralyses]". Bol Med Hosp Infant Mex. 50 (2): 136–44. PMID 8442872.
5. ↑ Mandell, Gerald (2010). Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's principles and practice of infectious diseases. Philadelphia, PA: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier. ISBN 0443068399.

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