Everything about Poliomyelitis totally explained
, |
ICD9 =, |
DiseasesDB = 10209 |
MedlinePlus = 001402 |
eMedicineSubj = ped |
eMedicineTopic = 1843 |
eMedicine_mult = |
MeshName = Poliomyelitis |
MeshNumber = C02.182.600.700 |
}}
Poliomyelitis, often called
polio or
infantile paralysis, is an acute
viral infectious disease spread from person to person, primarily via the
fecal-oral route. The term derives from the
Greek polio (πολίός), meaning "grey",
myelon (µυελός), referring to the "
spinal cord", and
-itis, which denotes
inflammation. Although around 90% of polio infections
have no symptoms at all, affected individuals can exhibit a range of symptoms if the virus enters the
blood stream. In fewer than 1% of cases the virus enters the
central nervous system, preferentially infecting and destroying
motor neurons, leading to muscle weakness and acute
flaccid paralysis. Different types of paralysis may occur, depending on the nerves involved. Spinal polio is the most common form, characterized by asymmetric paralysis that most often involves the legs. Bulbar polio leads to weakness of muscles innervated by
cranial nerves. Bulbospinal polio is a combination of bulbar and spinal paralysis.
Poliomyelitis was first recognized as a distinct condition by
Jakob Heine in 1840. Its causative agent,
poliovirus, was identified in 1908 by
Karl Landsteiner. Enhanced
vaccination efforts led by the
World Health Organization,
UNICEF and
Rotary International could result in global eradication of the disease.
Cause
Poliomyelitis is caused by infection with a member of the
genus Enterovirus known as
poliovirus (PV). This group of
RNA viruses prefers to inhabit the
gastrointestinal tract. All three are extremely
virulent and produce the same disease symptoms. In endemic areas, wild polioviruses can infect virtually the entire human population. It is seasonal in
temperate climates, with peak transmission occurring in summer and autumn. Virus particles are excreted in the
feces for several weeks following initial infection. a mode especially visible in areas with good sanitation and hygiene.
malnutrition,
tonsillectomy, physical activity immediately following the onset of paralysis, skeletal muscle injury due to
injection of vaccines or therapeutic agents, and
pregnancy. Although the virus can cross the
placenta during pregnancy, the fetus doesn't appear to be affected by either maternal infection or polio vaccination. Maternal antibodies also cross the
placenta, providing
passive immunity that protects the infant from polio infection during the first few months of life.
Classification
Further Information
Get more info on 'Poliomyelitis'.
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