What is polio?
Polio refers to a disease caused by poliovirus infection of the human body that invades the spinal cord. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and weakness. Irreversible muscle atrophy occurs during the sequelae.
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| What is polio? |
Polioviruses are transmitted through the fecal-hand-mouth contamination pathway. It may also spread through the pharynx during the epidemic. The virus enters through the oral route, during which the virus infects the mouth, nose and throat cells. 90% to 95% of poliovirus infections are asymptomatic, with a 7 to 14 day incubation period during which the virus replicates primaryly in the lymphoid tissues of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. As the virus spreads throughout the body's reticuloendothelial tissue, asymptomatic first (slight) transient viremia occurs.
Can polio be cured?
There is no specific drug for polio, and it can only relieve symptoms by symptomatic treatment. Mild polio may have no sequelae. But if the sequelae occur, it is irreversible.
