The milder forms of polio usually come on suddenly and last only a few days. Some people who have the disease may not feel ill at all. Some mild symptoms include a fever, sore throat, upset stomach, headache, or stomachache. Sometimes one will feel pain and stiffness in the neck, back, and legs. Even if an infected individual does not have symptoms, people with polio can still pass it on to others.
Paralytic polio is the most serious form of the disease.
This is the kind of polio that causes paralysis. It begins like milder forms of polio, but usually causes severe muscle pain in addition to other symptoms. Paralysis usually happens within the first week. The victim may lose the use of one or both legs, arms, and may not be able to breathe without the help of a machine. Recovery varies from person to person, but people who are paralyzed by polio will have some weakness in an arm or leg for the rest of their lives.