Polio Disease Sabel Overlin

What is it? Polio is an extremely contagious disease that is caused by a virus that attacks at a person’s nervous system.

What does it affect? It affects the nervous system and could paralyze body parts such as the legs, even though this happens to less than 1% of the people that are diagnosed.

What are the symptoms? Some of the mild symptoms of polio include back pain, fever, sore throat, and muscle stiffness, even though 95% of people diagnosed don’t even suffer from these. More severe symptoms are muscle aching, weakened breathing, difficulty swallowing, and skin reactions.

What are the cures? There is no absolute cure, but a healthy diet, heating or ice packs, minimal exercise and bed rest are said to speed up recovery time. Sometimes hospitalization is need for patients with a more severe case.

How is it prevented? There is now a vaccine to prevent polio, but doctors say that good hygiene, such as washing your hands, can also prevent the disease.