1. Joseba Hidalgo & María González

2. What is it? It is also known as «Polio» or «Infantile paralysis». Its name came from the greek words «poliós» which means grey, «myelós» which means spinal cord, and «itis» which means inflammation. It is a viral infectious disease, transmitted by fecal-oral route. It mainly affects the spinal cord, but can also affects the brainstream, causing «Polioencephalitis». 1% of polio cases afect the Central Nervous System (muscle weakness and flaccid paralysis).

3. Types of paralysis Different types of paralysis can occur depending on the part of the body they affect. Spinal polio: causes asimetric paralysis and mainly affects the legs. Bulbar polio: leads to weakness of the nerves controlled by cranial nerves. Bulbospinal polio: combination of bulbar and spinal paralysis.

4. History The Poliomyelitis as a illness was discovered in 1840. It wasn’t until 1908, when its main causative agent was discovered, the «poliovirus». Polio was one of most feared childhood diseases of the 20th century. Actually, Poliomyelitis its a rare disease, thanks to the vaccines developed.

6. Cause Caused by infection. Virus name: Poliovirus.

7. Transmission Highly contagious. Factors which may increase the risk of being infected: immune deficiency, malnutrition, pregnancy…

9. Prevention Vaccination

10. Treatment There is no cure for polio. Polio treatment often requires long-term rehabilitation including physical therapy, braces, corrective shoes and in some other cases orthopedic surgery.