Poliomyelitis, more commonly known as polio, is caused by the poliovirus. In its worst form, polio can cause extreme paralysis of the leg and arm muscles as well as the respiratory system.
Because the virus is transmitted from saliva and feces, it can be easily passed from one infected person to another when an individual does not thoroughly wash their hands after eating or visiting the bathroom. Usually 90% of people infected show no symptoms or suffer very mild symptoms for several days such as headache, fatigue, low grade fever, sore throat, nausea and vomiting.
The other 10%, however, are those who seek medical attention for poliomyelitis diagnosis, exhibiting such symptoms as severe headache, along with a painful stiffness of the neck and back. Although prevalent in the U.S. in the 1950s and 1960s, polio today is a rare occurence. There are two definite symptoms confirming poliomyelitis diagnosis: a fever and accompanying paralysis without the loss of feeling.
If a patient is suspected of contracting the poliovirus, the standard diagnostic test is the "spinal tap" or lumbar puncture. In this procedure, a long, thin needle is inserted in between the vertebrae of the back in order to draw out spinal fluid. This fluid is then checked for two factors which indicate the presence of polio: an elevated white blood count and the absence of bacteria. The spinal fluid can also be tested for the presence of polio antibodies, chemicals produced by the patient's immune system to fight the poliovirus.
Once a poliomyelitis diagnosis has been determined, the patient can be made more comfortable with hot packs for muscular discomfort, but there is no cure for polio. Patients whose respiratory systems are severely compromised by the poliovirus may need an artificial ventilation machine such as an iron lung to assist breathing and those whose muscles suffer permanent damage may need crutches for walking.