Poliomyelitis

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Poliomyelitis Symptoms & Signs

There are three basic patterns of polio infection: subclinical infections, nonparalytic, and paralytic. Approximately 95% of these are subclinical infections, which may go unnoticed.

Clinical poliomyelitis affects the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and is divided into nonparalytic and paralytic forms. It may occur after recovery from a subclinical infection.

SUBCLINICAL INFECTION

• no symptoms, or symptoms lasting 72 hours or less
• slight fever
• headache
• general discomfort or uneasiness (malaise)
• sore throat
• red throat
• vomiting

NONPARALYTIC POLIOMYELITIS

• symptoms last 1 to 2 weeks
• moderate fever
• headache
• stiff neck
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• excessive tiredness, fatigue
• irritability
• pain or stiffness of the back, arms, legs, abdomen
• muscle tenderness and spasm in any area of the body
• neck pain
• pain front part of neck
• neck stiffness
• back pain or backache
• leg pain (calf muscles)
• skin rash or lesion with pain
• muscle stiffness

PARALYTIC POLIOMYELITIS

• fever, occurring 5 to 7 days before other symptoms
• headache
• stiff neck and back
• muscle weakness, asymmetrical
  • rapid onset
  • progresses to paralysis
  • location depends on where the spinal cord is affected
• abnormal sensations (but not loss of sensation) of an area
• sensitivity to touch, mild touch may be painful
• difficulty beginning to urinate
• constipation
• bloated feeling of abdomen
• swallowing difficulty
• muscle pain
• muscle contractions or muscle spasms, particularly in the calf, neck, or back
• drooling
• breathing difficulty
• irritability or poor temper control
• positive Babinski's reflex