Definition of Infantile paralysis (polio) Definition of Infantile paralysis (polio) Take the ADHD Quiz Infantile paralysis (polio): Infantile paralysis is an old synonym for poliomyelitis, an acute and sometimes devastating viral disease. Man is the only natural host for poliovirus. The virus enters the mouth and multiplies in lymphoid tissues in the pharynx and intestine. Small numbers of virus enter the blood and go to other sites where the virus multiplies more extensively. Another round of viremia (virus in the bloodstream) leads to invasion of the central nervous system (CNS), the spinal cord and brain, the only sites seriously struck by the virus. In polio , there is inflammation of the central nervous system, especially the anterior horn cells of the spinal cord and the brainstem (the portion of the brain between the cerebral hemispheres and spinal cord). Polio can be a minor illness, as it is in 80-90% of clinical infections, chiefly in young children, and not involve the CNS. Symptoms are slight fever , malaise, headache , sore throat , and vomiting 3-5 days after exposure. Recovery occurs in 24-72 hours.

This is termed the abortive type of polio. Polio as a major illness may or may not be paralytic. Symptoms usually appear without prior illness, particularly in older children and adults, 7-14 days after exposure. Symptoms are fever, severe headache, stiff neck and back, deep muscle pain , and sometimes areas of hyperesthesia (increased sensation) and paresthesia (altered sensation). There may be no further progression from this picture of viral meningitis or there be loss of tendon reflexes and weakness or paralysis of muscle groups. Recovery is complete in the abortive and nonparalytic forms of polio. In paralytic polio, about 50% of patients recover with no residual paralysis, about 25% are left with mild disabilities, and the remaining patients have severe permanent disability. The greatest return of muscle function occurs in the first 6 months, but improvement may continue for up to 2 years. Physical therapy is the most important part of treatment of paralytic polio during convalescence. The ideal strategy with polio is clearly to prevent it by immunization against poliovirus. U.S. President Franklin D.

Roosevelt (1882-1945) had polio and worked with the National Foundation/March of Dimes to raise money to combat this once-fearsome scourge. Last Editorial Review: 6/14/2012 Poliomyelitis (Polio) - Vaccine-Preventable Diseases - Public Health Agency of Canada Public Health Agency of Canada Travel Health Notice: Polio: global update Polio is a very contagious infection that is caused by the poliovirus. Thanks to immunization, Canada has been polio free for the last 20 years. But before the polio vaccine was introduced in 1955, thousands of Canadian children were affected. Polio crippled tens of thousands of Canadians until the vaccine was introduced. It used to be called "infantile paralysis" or "the crippler"; because it could permanently damage nerve cells that control muscles. Since there is no cure for polio, prevention is very important. The polio vaccine is a safe and effective way to prevent polio and keep it from coming back to Canada. It is free and available to all Canadians.

Polio | Post-Polio Syndrome | PPS | MedlinePlus Patient Handouts Summary Polio is an infectious disease caused by a virus. The virus lives in an infected person's throat and intestines. It is most often spread by contact with the stool of an infected person. You can also get it from droplets if an infected person sneezes or coughs. It can contaminate food and water if people do not wash their hands. Most people have no symptoms. If you have symptoms, they may include fever, fatigue, nausea, headache, flu-like symptoms, stiff neck and back, and pain in the limbs. A few people will become paralyzed. There is no treatment to reverse the paralysis of polio. Some people who've had polio develop post-polio syndrome (PPS) years later. Symptoms include tiredness, new muscle weakness, and muscle and joint pain. There is no way to prevent or cure PPS. The polio vaccine has wiped out polio in the United States and most other countries. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Start Here Polio | March of Dimes You've saved this page It's been added to your dashboard .

Polio (short for poliomyelitis, once called infantile paralysis), used to strike thousands of children in the United States each year. In 1955, it was announced that the Salk vaccine was safe and effective against this disabling, sometimes fatal infection. Due to the Salk vaccine, and soon afterward the Sabin oral vaccine, both developed with March of Dimes funding, wild (not vaccine-associated) polio infections have been eliminated from the United States for nearly 3 decades (1). Polio still occurs, however, in some developing countries. What is polio? Polio is a disease that can infect the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and cause lasting disabilities in a small number of infected individuals. It is caused by any of three types of polio viruses. Polio infection is most common in infants and children, but young adults and some older people get it, too (2). Up to 95 percent of individuals with a polio infection have no symptoms (1). A small number (4 to 8 percent) have mild symptoms, such as a sore throat, headache, malaise, upset stomach and low-grade fever (1). These individuals generally recover completely within a week.

However, from the digestive tract (stomach and intestines), the virus can get into the blood stream and be carried to the central nervous system. About 1 to 2 percent of infected individuals develop a high fever, meningitis (inflammation of membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord), stiff neck and limb pain (1). These individuals generally recover completely, usually within 10 days (1). In fewer than 1 of every 100 infected persons, the virus attacks nerves inside the spine that send messages to muscles in arms, legs and other areas (1). This can result in partial or complete paralysis. If the virus gets into the brainstem (bulbar polio), muscles needed for breathing, swallowing and other vital functions become paralyzed, and the person may die. How does polio spread? The virus is spread from person to person by contact with infected secretions from the nose or mouth or by contact with infected feces. It usually enters the body when the person ingests contaminated food or water or touches the mouth with contaminated hands. How is polio treated? There is no drug that can cure polio once a person is infected.

Individuals are made as comfortable as possible, with bed rest, pain-relieving medications and hot packs to help relieve the pain of extreme muscle tightness. Some need assistance with breathing, such as supplemental oxygen or a ventilator. During the epidemics of the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s, some patients with serious breathing problems were placed in an "iron lung," a cylindrical chamber that surrounded a patient's body from the neck down, which used rhythmic alterations in air pressure to force air in and out of the individual's lungs. After the active stage of the disease is over, surviving nerve cells gradually send out new nerve connections to orphaned muscle cells in an attempt to take over the function of nerve cells that were destroyed. This often allows the patient to regain use of muscles and recover, partially or completely. Patients with permanent, partial paralysis are taught to use remaining healthy muscles. They generally go on to lead active lives, although some require braces and wheelchairs. How is polio prevented? Polio is prevented by vaccination. There are two types of polio vaccine; one is injected (a shot) and one is given by mouth.

The Salk vaccine (the first to be approved, in 1955) is made from completely inactivated polio viruses and injected into the body. The oral vaccine (known as the Sabin vaccine) is made from weakened polio viruses. It was introduced in 1963. Both vaccines cause the body to produce antibodies, which are specialized proteins produced by the immune system that fight the polio viruses. The vaccines make a person immune to polio. (Immune means that a person is protected from an infection and cannot get it.) The vaccines immunize against all three virus types. Children in the United States are routinely vaccinated against polio, along with other preventable diseases. They receive four doses of the vaccine at 2, 4, 6 to 18 months and 4 to 6 years (1). Until the late 1990s, the polio vaccine usually was given by mouth. Very rarely, paralytic polio occurs in children who have been vaccinated with the oral vaccine or in others with whom they've had contact.

About 8 to 10 cases of vaccine-associated paralytic polio occurred each year in the United States in the 1980s and 1990s (1). As of January 2000, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that babies in the United States be vaccinated against polio with the shot, which cannot cause polio (1, 2). The oral polio vaccine is no longer routinely available in the United States (1). Are travelers at risk of contracting polio? Polio still occurs in certain developing countries, mainly in some parts of Africa and south Asia (3). Due to global efforts to eradicate this disease by vaccinating children, polio cases have decreased by more than 99 percent since 1988, with fewer than 2,000 cases reported worldwide in 2005 (3). Adults or children who are traveling to less developed countries where polio is still common should check with their health care provider or local health department to see if they need a "booster" dose.

Generally, one additional polio shot is recommended for adults who were vaccinated during childhood and are traveling to these areas (1, 2). Are there late effects of polio? Yes. Some individuals who had polio when young experience progressive new muscle weakness decades afterward. This weakness can affect muscles previously weakened by polio as well as muscles believed to have been unaffected. These people also sometimes report intense fatigue and pain in muscles and joints. This finding of new weakness, fatigue and pain many years after having polio is called post-polio syndrome (PPS). However, not all polio survivors with such symptoms have PPS. Some, when examined by doctors, are found to have arthritis or other common joint and muscle disorders. What is the cause of PPS? Many experts believe that the overburdened nerve cells that sent out new connections to take over for destroyed nerve cells eventually begin to fail, resulting in new muscle weakness (4, 5). Other factors, including normal aging, probably also play a role. How is PPS diagnosed and treated? Polio survivors who believe they are having the symptoms of PPS should be thoroughly evaluated by a doctor who is an expert in neuromuscular disorders.

Such experts may include physiatrists (rehabilitation specialists), neurologists, orthopedists and others with special training in these disorders. Before such evaluation, individuals should not increase exercise or activity in the hope that this will give their muscles more strength. An increase in physical activity actually might do more damage. The best thing to do is seek expert medical help. Sometimes a change in braces, a decrease in activity, or treatment of conditions like arthritis will lessen symptoms. Specially designed exercise programs also can help improve strength and functioning. What is the role of the March of Dimes? Many people remember the March of Dimes for conquering epidemic polio, and the Foundation continues to receive questions about the disorder. The March of Dimes responds to these inquiries and often refers people to sources of help. In May 2000, funded by a special donation, the March of Dimes sponsored an international conference on best practices in diagnosis and management of PPS. Findings from the conference have been widely disseminated to patients and health care professionals (4, 6). Historians have called the conquest of polio one of the great achievements of the 20th century.

Thanks to the March of Dimes, and the millions of people who supported the Foundation, we no longer have to fear another devastating polio epidemic like the ones that terrorized previous generations. References Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The Pink Book: Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, 10th Edition, February 2007. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Poliovirus Infections, in: Pickering L.K.(ed.) 2006 Red Book: Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases 27th edition, Elk Grove Village, IL, American Academy of Pediatrics, 2006, pages 542-547. World Health Organization. Poliomyelitis Fact Sheet. September 2006. March of Dimes Steering Committee on Post-Polio Syndrome. March of Dimes International Conference on Post-Polio Syndrome: Identifying Best Practices in Diagnosis and Care. White Plains, N.Y., 2002. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Post-Polio Syndrome Fact Sheet. April 17, 2007. March of Dimes. Guidelines for People Who Have Had Polio.

White Plains, N.Y., 2002. December 2007 Poliomyelitis | definition of poliomyelitis by Medical dictionary Poliomyelitis | definition of poliomyelitis by Medical dictionary Related to poliomyelitis: poliomyelitis virus poliomyelitis [po″le-o-mi″ĕ-li´tis] an acute infectious disease occurring sporadically or in epidemics and caused by a virus, usually a poliovirus but occasionally a coxsackievirus or echovirus . Called also polio . Initial clinical characteristics include fever, sore throat, headache, and vomiting, often with stiffness of the neck and back. In the minor illness these may be the only symptoms. The major illness (called also infantile paralysis ), which may or may not be preceded by the minor illness, is characterized by involvement of the central nervous system, stiff neck, pleocytosis in the spinal fluid, and perhaps paralysis within a week. Bulbar poliomyelitis is a serious form involving the medulla oblongata and usually becomes evident within three days.

The muscles of swallowing and breathing are affected, so that the patient has difficulty swallowing, speaking, and breathing. In all forms, there may be subsequent atrophy of groups of muscles, ending in contraction and permanent deformity. There are three known types of poliovirus, each causing a different type of the disease. Most paralytic cases are caused by type 1. Poliovirus is found in the throat of a patient for the first few days of the disease, and in the intestines for a longer period, sometimes as long as 17 weeks. The disease spreads by means of droplets of moisture from an infected person's throat or by waste products from the intestines. The contagious period is 7 or more days from the time of onset of the disease. The poliovirus is short-lived, and cannot survive long in the air. The incubation period of polio is from 1 to 2 weeks, and occasionally as long as 3 weeks. Members of the family or other contacts may be carriers, but only for a short period of time. Treatment. There is at present no cure for polio; once the disease begins it must be allowed to run its course.

Supportive care is important, however, and proper symptomatic treatment can reduce discomfort and prevent some crippling aftereffects. Applications of heat in the form of hot wet packs, diathermy , warm baths in the form of hydrotherapy , and gentle exercising can reduce pain caused by muscle spasms and prevent deformities. During the acute stage of the disease bed rest is essential and the patient is kept warm and quiet. Postpolio Weakness. Although immunization efforts to eradicate polio have reduced its current incidence in the United States to fewer than 10 cases each year, survivors of previous epidemics are experiencing a second encounter with the illness. Weakness in one or more muscles appears to be a late complication of the infection. The weakness can affect muscles that were first involved in the disease or it can affect those that were not formerly weakened. The cause of this phenomenon is not yet known and there is no treatment available, other than medications known to be effective in combating autoimmune diseases . It is hoped that this form of therapy will retard or arrest the process causing the weakness. Prevention. The first safe, effective vaccine against polio used killed polioviruses to stimulate production and release of antibodies. It was developed under the direction of Dr. Jonas E.

Salk, and was nicknamed the Salk vaccine ; its proper name is poliovirus vaccine inactivated (IPV). It was later replaced by an oral preparation of attenuated viruses called poliovirus vaccine live oral , nicknamed the Sabin vaccine after its discoverer, Dr. Albert Sabin. In recent years in the United States, the Salk vaccine has come back into use. It does not induce intestinal immunity and so is not effective for poliovirus eradication in areas where wild-type polioviruses still exist in large numbers. However, it does not cause vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis and so is preferred for routine immunization in areas where the risk of infection by a wild-type polivirus is very low. po·li·o·my·e·li·tis (pō'lē-ō-mī'ĕ-lī'tis), Paralysis and Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM) by thedrswolfson | Dec 25, 2015 | Children , Healthy Home & Lifestyle | 0 comments Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM) in California is in the news.

Recently, the prestigious medical journal JAMA , reported on cases of sudden paralysis diagnosed over the last three years. What used to be called polio, is now labeled AFM. After the polio vaccine was invented in 1952, doctors decided to call childhood paralysis something else. You see, before polio was polio, it was Infantile Paralysis. But clearly, what was labeled as polio in the 1940’s was not necessarily from the polio virus. Other viruses, toxins, vaccines, pesticides, insecticides and metals were also responsible for paralytic symptoms. The Polio virus rarely caused paralysis You can see from the chart above, courtesy of the CDC (until they remove it), 96% of those infected with the polio virus have ZERO or minor symptoms. Those with paralysis from any cause in the 1940’s were immobilized as part of their therapy. Many eventually developed atrophy of the affected limb. So what’s going on in California? 59 cases in the last three years of children with sudden paralysis in California alone. There were thousands more cases across the country in that time frame. How many others went unreported?

These children may need intensive care and some can even die from AFM. In the previous century, an “iron lung” was used for respiratory support. Pictures of those children are trotted out when someone questions the safety or need for vaccines. “Do you want this to happen again?” Yet, there are thousands of children on ventilators at this very moment in hospitals near you. Why? As polio was declared eradicated, cases of AFM spiked. What causes acute flaccid paralysis? Merck Pharmaceuticals, the manufacturer of the hep B vaccine, admits the vaccine can cause acute flaccid myelitis. Doesn’t seem worth the risk to inject your baby with three shots containing astronomical amounts of aluminum and risk AFM. All to prevent a viral infection linked to IV drug use and prostitutes/multiple sex partners. Here is a link to the HPV shot and myelitis. “One less” is now one more case of paralysis. In fact, searching the government database at pubmed.gov reveals over 5000 articles with the terms “vaccine” and “myelitis.” Of course, the oral polio vaccine is a known cause of acute flaccid paralysis and was withdrawn from the U.S. market.

After 40 years of causing thousands of cases of polio from the vaccine, the CDC removed the oral vaccine from it’s schedule. Sadly, millions around the world are still given the oral polio vaccine. A child who may have never had symptoms from the wild polio virus, like the other 96% who don’t according to the CDC, is now stricken with paralysis from a man-made vaccine. Name a disease, find a cure, rename the disease when the cure fails. Poliomyelitis, acute flaccid paralysis, transverse myelitis, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), and myasthenia gravis are just some of the labels given to people with sudden weakness. The poster child for polio was President Franklin Roosevelt. But a recent review questions the polio diagnosis and labels him with GBS, a neurologic condition possibly from a vaccine FDR received, exposure to the pesticide DDT or other toxins. Children sprayed with the pesticide DDT. Audibon.org Real health Health does not come from a prescription bottle, a surgery, or an injection. Here is a quick list of real ways to prevent disease. Eat organic and preferably Paleo. Avoid environmental chemicals and pollutants.

Get the stress out of your life. Sleep at least 8 hours. Children need 10 hours. Stay active. Build muscle. Archaic Medical Terms English List P Sandfly Fever Paralysis Palsy. A disease characterized by loss or great diminution of the power of voluntary motion, affecting any part of the body. [Thomas1875]. Abolition of function, whether complete or partial; esp., the loss of the power of voluntary motion, with or without that of sensation, in any part of the body; palsy. [Webster1913]. Loss or impairment of the ability to move a body part, usually as a result of damage to its nerve supply. [Heritage] "paralysis" was first used: 1525. [Webster] Example from an 1857 death certificate from West Virginia: Example from a 1922 Kansas Death Certificate: Paralysis Agitans Example from a 1922 Death Certificate from Georgia: Creeping Paralysis Locomotor Ataxia. [American Illustrated Medical Dictionary 1914].

Example from an 1897 Death Record from Michigan: Erb's Paralysis Erb's spastic paraplegia. , Erb's syphilitic spastic paraplegia an uncommon form of meningovascular syphilis marked by progressive spasticity and weakness of the legs, paraplegia, muscular atrophy, paresthesia, increased knee and ankle reflexes, and incontinence. Called also cerebrospinal syphilis, Erb's paralysis, Erb-Charcot disease, and syphilitic paraplegia. [Dorland] Example from a 1929 Ohio Death Certificate: Paralysis of the Insane General paralysis of the insane. [Dunglison1874] General Paralysis of the Insane Insanity combines with progressive paralysis of the muscular system; an incurable affection, which seems to increase as the powers of the mind diminish. It is said to depend on hypertrophy of the connective tissue of the minute vessels of the pia mater and cortical substance of the brain. [Dunglison1874].

A gradual progressive disease of the brain and nervous system in which there are ataxy and paresis usually following a definite order and course of development, which are particularly marked in speech and locomotion. There are sensory disorders and mental symptoms, at first of exaltation of feeling or expansive delirium, but invariably tending to complete dementia. There are organic changes in the encephalon and its membranes, and sometimes in the spinal cord and its membranes and in some sympathetic ganglia. [Appleton1904]. General paresis, also known as general paralysis of the insane or paralytic dementia, is a neuropsychiatric disorder affecting the brain and central nervous system, caused by syphilis infection. It was originally considered a psychiatric disorder when it was first scientifically identified around the nineteenth century, as the patient usually presented with psychotic symptoms of sudden and often dramatic onset. [Wikipedia]. Example from a 1903 death record from Scotland: Example from a 1925 Death Certificate from Louisiana: Infantile Paralysis Old synonym for polio. [CancerWEB].

Example from a 1928 death certificate from New Brunswick, Canada: Progressive Bulbar Paralysis The progressive atrophy and paralysis of the muscles of the tongue, lips, palate, pharynx, and larynx due to atrophic degeneration of the innervating neurons. Also called bulbar paralysis, Duchenne's disease, Erb's disease. [American Heritage]. Example from a 1919 Death Certificate from Georgia: Shaking Paralysis Example from an 1897 Death Record from Michigan: Wasting Paralysis Poliomyelitis. [American Illustrated Medical Dictionary 1914]. Paralytic Stroke A sudden attack of encephalo-spinal paralysis. [Dunglison 1846]. Example from an 1890 Death Record from Michigan: Paraphimosis A condition in which the prepuce, after being retracted behind the glans penis, is constricted there, and can not be brought forward into place again. [Webster1913] Paraphrenitis Inflammation of the diaphragm. Paraplegia Complete paralysis of the lower half of the body including both legs, usually caused by damage to the spinal cord.

[Heritage] Paresis Incomplete paralysis, affecting motion but not sensation. [Webster] General Paresis of the Insane The insanity caused by late-stage syphilis was once one of the more common forms of dementia; this was known as the general paresis of the insane. [Webster] Paristhmitis Cynanche Tonsillaris, Quinsy. Parkinson's Disease A progressive nervous disease occurring most often after the age of 50, associated with the destruction of brain cells that produce dopamine and characterized by muscular tremor, slowing of movement, partial facial paralysis, peculiarity of gait and posture, and weakness. Also called paralysis agitans, shaking palsy. [Heritage] Paronychia The ancients gave this name to an inflammatory tumour, seated near the nail. [Dunglison1846]. Inflammation and formation of an abscess under or beneath the finger-nails. Applied also to inflammation of the flexor tendons and sheaths of the fingers. Whitlow is the popular name for these affections. [Gould1890].

Parotiditis Inflammation of the parotid gland, popularly termed the mumps. [Thomas1875] Inflammation of the parotid gland (salivary glands near the ear). [CancerWEB] Paroxysm The fit, attack, or exacerbation, of a disease that occurs at intervals, or has decided remissions or intermissions. [CancerWEB] Pathogen An agent that causes disease, especially a living microorganism such as a bacterium or fungus. [Heritage] Pearl Eye Pearl in the eye. The old English name of cataract. [Hoblyn1855] Pediculosis Information sheet from NYS Dept of Health Pellagra An affection in which a morbid condition of the skin is a prominent symptom; it is very prevalent among the peasantry of the northern states of Italy. It is called mal del sole, from its being ascribed to the heat of the sun's rays; Italian elephantiasis, etc. [Hoblyn1855] A disease common in certain parts of Italy, beginning by shining red spot on some part of the head or body.

[Thomas1875] Pellagra is a disease that occurs when a person does not get enough niacin (one of the B complex vitamins) or tryptophan (an amino acid) in their diet. It can also occur if the body fails to absorb these nutrients. The disease is common in certain parts of the world (in people consuming large quantities of corn). It is characterized by scaly skin sores, diarrhea, inflamed mucous membranes, and mental confusion and delusions. It may develop after gastrointestinal diseases or alcoholism. [MedlinePlus]. Example from a 1923 Death Certificate from Georgia: Infantile Pellagra Any of several acute or chronic skin diseases characterized by groups of itching blisters. [Heritage] Pemphigus Vulgaris A severe and often fatal form of chronic pemphigus. [Merriam Webster]. Pemphigus occurring in middle age, in which cutaneous flaccid acantholytic suprabasal bullae and oral mucosal erosions are first localized but, become generalized after a few months, forming blisters that break easily and are slow to heal. [American Heritage].

Example from a 1921 death certificate from Illinois: Periodic Fever An obsolete term introduced to describe the intermittent febrile episodes seen in disease later recognized and named familial Mediterranean fever. [CancerWEB] Perforation of Stomach or Intestines A condition in which disease or injury has resulted in a leakage of digestive tract contents into the peritoneal cavity. A common cause is a ruptured appendix or perforating peptic ulcer. Immediate surgical intervention is needed to prevent peritonitis. [Mosby]. Example from a 1928 death certificate from New Brunswick, Canada: Periostitis Inflammation of the membrane covering the bones. [CivilWarMed]. Inflammation of the periosteum. When of a diffuse nature, accompanied by suppuration, it is called periostitis diffusa. [Dunglison1874]. Example from an 1894 death certificate from Pennsylvania: Peripneumonia Inflammation of the substance of the lungs. See pneumonia. [Dunglison1874] Peritonitis Inflammation of the peritoneum (membrane lining the abdominal cavity).

Characterized by violent pain in the abdomen, increased by the slightest pressure, often by simple weight of bed clothes. It frequently occurs in parturient state and begins on the second or third day after delivery. At times, a malignant epidemic, and perhaps contagious, variety has made its appearance, and destroyed numbers of females. This has been described under the name puerperal fever, metroperitonitis and low fever of child bed. [Dunglison1874]. Inflammation of the peritoneum, often accompanied by pain and tenderness in the abdomen, vomiting, constipation, and moderate fever. [Random House]. Example from a 1922 Death Certificate from Georgia: Diffuse Peritonitis Peritonitis throughout the peritoneal cavity. [Biology Online]. Example from a 1904 death certificate from California: Pneumococcal Peritonitis Pneumococcus - A bacterium, Diplococcus pneumoniae, causing lobar pneumonia and associated with certain other diseases, as pericarditis and meningitis.

[Random House] Example from a 1929 Death Certificate from England: Perityphlitis A cutaneous affection, consisting of redness diffused over the skin, without fever; Red Jaundice. [Dunglison1868] Philippine Itch Scabies. There are various names in vogue such as prairie itch, swamp itch, lumberman's itch, elephant itch, Ohio scratches, Texas mange, and, now, Cuban itch and Philippine itch, which are used to denominate all sorts of itching dermatoses from winter pruritus to scabies and smallpox. None of these terms has any exact meaning. They are most frequently applied to scabies, but frequently also to other itching dermatoses, like dermitis hiemalis. [Wilke1915] Phimosis An abnormal constriction of the foreskin that prevents it from being drawn back to uncover the glans penis. [Heritage] Phlebitis Inflammation of a vein; when accompanied by thrombus formation it is called thrombophlebitis. [Thomas1907] Phleborrhagia Rupture of the veins.

[Dunglison1868] Phlebotomus Fever Incision of a vein, as for the letting of blood; Blood-letting. [Dorland] Phlegmon Purulent inflammation of the cellular or areolar tissue. [Webster] Phrenitis Phrenzy or inflammation of the brain. [Hooper1829] Inflammation of the membranes of the brain. Meningitis [Dunglison1868]. Example from an 1826 death certificate from Pennsylvania: Phthiriasis Infestation with crab or pubic lice [Thomas1907] Phthisis Pulmonary consumption. It is known by emaciation, debility, cough, hectic fever, and purulent expectoration. [Hooper1843] Consumption; pulmonary consumption, or decline; emaciation of the body, and debility, attended with a cough, hectic fever, and generally purulent expectoration. It is also termed marasmus, tabes pulmonalis, etc. [Hoblyn1855] In a general sense, progressive emaciation. It is usually, however, restricted to phthisis pulmonalis.

[Dunglison1874] Pulmonary consumption, characterized by emaciation, debility, cough, hectic fever, and purulent expectoration. [Thomas1875] Wasting of the frame. [Cleaveland1886] A term formerly applied (like Consumption ) to the disease of the lung now known as Tuberculosis. [Britannica1911] A wasting or consumption of the tissues. The term was formerly applied to many wasting diseases, but is now usually restricted to pulmonary phthisis, or Consumption. [Webster1913] Pulmonary Tuberculosis . Involving the lungs with progressive wasting of the body. [Wordnet] Phthisis is an archaic name for tuberculosis. [Medicinenet] Example from an 1864 Church Record from Slovakia: Example from an 1877 Death Certificate from England: Bronchial Phthisis Tuberculosis of the bronchial glands. [Appleton1904] Phthisis Florida An abnormal craving or appetite for nonfood substances, such as dirt, paint, or clay.

[Heritage] Picardy Sweat Suette de Picardie, an epidemic disease, the principal symptoms of which were profuse sweats and a miliary eruption. Occurred between 1718 and 1804. [Dunglison1874] Pick's Disease A form of dementia characterized by a slowly progressive deterioration of social skills and changes in personality leading to impairment of intellect, memory, and language. [CancerWEB] Pigeon Breast A chest deformity marked by a projecting sternum, often occurring as a result of infantile rickets. Also called chicken breast. [Heritage] Bleeding Piles Hemorrhoids; tumors or enlarged veins, about the neighborhood of the anus, sometimes attended with hemorrhage and prolapsus. [Cleaveland1886]. The small, troublesome tumors or swellings about the anus and lower part of the rectum which are technically called hemorrhoids. [Wordnet] Pinkeye The yellow fever epidemic of 1793, centering in Philadelphia. Black Plague The epidemic form of bubonic plague experienced during the Middle Ages; Black Death.

[Wordnet] Bubonic Plague Plague is a specific, inoculable, and otherwise communicable epidemic disease common to man and many of the lower animals. It is characterized by fever, the development of buboes, a rapid course, a very high mortality, and the presence of a specific bacterium in the lymphatic glands, viscera, and blood. [Manson1898] A contagious, often fatal epidemic disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia (syn. Pasteurella) pestis, transmitted from person to person or by the bite of fleas from an infected rodent, especially a rat, and characterized by chills, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and the formation of buboes. [Heritage] Cold Plague A severe form of congestive fever, seen in the Southern States. Bilious pneumonia, in which there is no reaction, has been, also, so called. [Dunglison1868]. Cerebro-Spinal Fever. [A Treatise on the Continued Fevers, Wilson, 1881]. A malignant form of bilious pneumonia. [Appleton1904].

Dancing Plague An excess of blood in the circulatory system or in one organ or area. [Heritage] Pleurisy Inflammation of the pleura (membrane enveloping the lungs), usually occurring as a complication of a disease such as pneumonia, accompanied by accumulation of fluid in the pleural cavity, chills, fever, and painful breathing and coughing. [CivilWarMed]. Example from an 1826 death certificate from Pennsylvania: Example from a 1920 Death Certificate from Louisiana: Bastard Pleurisy It is known by a dry cough, a quick pulse, and a difficulty of lying on the affected side, which last does not always happen in the true pleurisy. [Buchan1785] Bilious Pleurisy Pleurisy accompanied with bilious symptoms; the effect of duodentitis or duodenohepatitis; Bilious Pneumonia. [Dunglison1868].

Example from an 1856 death certificate from West Virginia: Chronic Pleurisy Pleurisy Head Pleurisy A ridiculous term, occasionally used by the vulgar, in the Southern States especially, for bilious pneumonia before the pneumonitic phenomena are developed, and whilst the head is prominently affected. Bilious Pneumonia. [Dunglison1868] Side Pleurisy Pleurisy on one side, usually the left. Pleurisy is generally unilateral. [Taylor1901]. Example from a 1922 Death Certificate from Georgia: Spurious Pleurisy Rheumatism, occurring in the muscles of the diaphram. [Thomas1875] Pleuritis Example from an 1895 death certificate from West Virginia: Pneumonia Inflammation of the lungs. The symptoms of this disease are fever, accompanied with pain in the thorax, which is aggravated by coughing, a quick and hard pulse, with more or less difficulty of breathing. [Thomas1875] An acute or chronic disease marked by inflammation of the lungs and caused by viruses, bacteria, or other microorganisms and sometimes by physical and chemical irritants. [Heritage].

"pneumonia" was first used in popular English literature: sometime before 1550. [Webster] Example from an 1870 Mortality Schedule from Kentucky: Atypical Pneumonia Inflammation of the lungs, accompanied by gastric fever, and not uncommonly by typhoid symptoms. [Dunglison1868] Example from an 1885 Death Record from Michigan: Broncho-Pneumonia Pneumonia involving many relatively small areas of lung tissue called also bronchial pneumonia, lobular pneumonia. [Merriam Webster] Pneumonia characterized by acute inflammation of the walls of the bronchioles. [Wordnet] Example from a 1930 Death Certificate from Scotland: Croupous Pneumonia Or ordinary pneumonia, is an acute affection characterized by sudden onset with a chill, high fever, rapid course, and sudden decline; -- also called lobar pneumonia, from its affecting a whole lobe of the lung at once. [Webster].

Example from a 1918 death certificate from Kentucky: Double Pneumonia Example from a 1919 Death Certificate from Georgia: Fibroid Pneumonia Is an inflammation of the interstitial connective tissue lying between the lobules of the lungs, and is very slow in its course, producing shrinking and atrophy of the lungs. [Webster] Hypostatic Pneumonia Pneumonia with an accumulation of blood in the lungs. [Schmidt2011]. Example from a 1921 Death Certificate from Illinois: Lobar Pneumonia Pneumonia affecting one or more lobes of the lung; commonly due to streptococcal infection. [Wordnet]. Example from a 1909 Canadian Death Certificate: Lobular Pneumonia Pott's Disease Pott's Disease Caries of the bodies of the vertebrae, often resulting in marked curvature of the spine, and usually associated with a tuberculosis infection. [Dictionary.com]. Origin: 1825ï¿½35; named after Percival Pott (1714ï¿½88), British surgeon, who described it. [Dictionary.com].

TB of the spine with destruction of vertebrae resulting in curvature of the spine. [Webster]. Pott's Disease Caries of the bodies of the vertebrae, often resulting in marked curvature of the spine, and usually associated with a tuberculosis infection. [Dictionary.com]. Origin: 1825ï¿½35; named after Percival Pott (1714ï¿½88), British surgeon, who described it. [Dictionary.com]. TB of the spine with destruction of vertebrae resulting in curvature of the spine. [Webster]. Example from a 1919 Death Certificate from Ohio: Pott's Paraplegia Late complication of Pott's disease. [Webster] Pox The vulgar name of syphilis; formerly called great pox, to distinguish it from Variola, or small pox, on account of larger size of its blotches. [Hoblyn1855] Prairie Dig Epidemic Typhus Prolapsus Ani In this complaint a portion of the bowels protrudes from the anus.

It is generally caused by a relaxed state of the body, or debility of the part, piles, drastic purgatives, or violent straining at stool. Children are most subject to this complaint. [Thomas1907] Prostatitis Inflammation of the prostate gland characterized by perineal pain and irregular urination and (if severe) chills and fever. [Wordnet]. Example from a 1920 Death Certificate from Louisiana: Prostration Great depression of strength. Almost total loss of power over the muscles of locomotion. [Dunglison1868] Protein Disease A once relatively common childhood kidney disease that causes the kidney to leak protein. This is a secondary allergic reaction to certain kinds of strep infections; Glomerulonephritis. [Wordnet]. Glomerulonephritis: Nephritis marked by inflammation of the glomerulus of the kidney; characterized by decreased production of urine and by the presence of blood and protein in the urine and by edema. [Wordnet] Proteinuria Angina Pectoris, Aphthae, Cynanche , (from German Braune, 'sore throat').

[Dunglison1874] Pruritus An ailment characterized by intense itching of the surface of the body. It may occur in connection with other morbid conditions, such as jaundice, diabetes, digestive disorders, &c., or as the result of the irritation produced by skin parasites. The most serious form is pruritus senilis, which affects old persons, and is often a cause of great suffering, depriving the patient of sleep. In such cases it is probably due to atrophic changes in the skin. No eruption is visible, except such marks as are produced by scratching. [Britannica1911] Pseudo-Croup Variola Minor Psora An eruption of small, isolated, acuminated vesicles, produced by the entrance of a parasitic mite (the Sarcoptes scabei), and attended with itching. It is transmissible by contact. [Webster] Psoriasis A cutaneous disease, characterized by rough, scaly cuticle, continuous, or in separate, irregular patches; generally with fissures of the skin. Often called scaly tetter.

[Thomas1875] A chronic skin disease characterized by dry red patches covered with scales; occurs especially on the scalp and ears and genitalia and the skin over bony prominences. [Dorland]. Psychosis A severe mental disorder, with or without organic damage, characterized by derangement of personality and loss of contact with reality and causing deterioration of normal social functioning. [Heritage]. A severe mental disorder, more serious than neurosis, characterized by disorganized thought processes, disorientation in time and space, hallucinations, and delusions. Paranoia, manic depression, megalomania, and schizophrenia are all psychoses. One who suffers from psychosis is psychotic. [Cultural Dictionary]. Psychosis A severe mental disorder, with or without organic damage, characterized by derangement of personality and loss of contact with reality and causing deterioration of normal social functioning. [Heritage]. A severe mental disorder, more serious than neurosis, characterized by disorganized thought processes, disorientation in time and space, hallucinations, and delusions. Paranoia, manic depression, megalomania, and schizophrenia are all psychoses. One who suffers from psychosis is psychotic. [Cultural Dictionary].

Example from a 1921 Death Certificate from Illinois: Pubic Lice Pediculosis Punch-Drunk Dazed from or as if from repeated blows; "knocked silly by the impact"; "slaphappy with exhaustion". Purples The condition of containing or discharging pus. [Heritage] Pus A generally viscous, yellowish-white fluid formed in infected tissue, consisting of white blood cells, cellular debris, and necrotic tissue. [Heritage] Putrid Fever Typhus Gravior. [Dunglison1874]. Typhus fever; -- so called from the decomposing and offensive state of the discharges and diseased textures of the body. [Webster1913]. Putrid Sore Throat Scarlatina. [Transactions of the American Medical Association, Volume 12, 1859]. Cynanche Maligna, often attendant on scarlatina. [Thomas 1870]. Ulceration of an acute form attacking the tonsils and rapidly running into sloughing of the fauces. Synonym; Cynanche Maligna.

[The Science and Practice of Medicine, Aitken, 1872]. Cynanche Maligna, Diphtheria. [Thomas1907]. A gangrenous inflammation of the fauces and pharynx. [Webster]. Example from an 1825 death certificate from Pennsylvania: Example from an 1858 death certificate from West Virginia: Pyelitis Inflammation of the pelvis and calices of the kidney. [Dunglison1874]. Inflammation of the pelvis of the kidney. [Webster1913]. Acute inflammation of the pelvis of the kidney, caused by bacterial infection. [Heritage]. Inflammation of the renal pelvis, the central part of the kidney where urine accumulates before discharge. It is caused by bacterial infection and is more common in women than in men. [Tiscali]. Pyelonephritis Inflammation of the kidney and its pelvis, caused by a bacterial infection. [Dictionary.com]. Example from a 1915 Death Certificate from Massachusetts: Pyemia; Pyï¿½mia Infection of the blood causing pus-producing abscesses. [CivilWarMed].

A febrile disease supposed to be due to absorption of pus or its constituents into the blood. It usually follows wounds, suppurative inflammation of bone, or the puerperal state, and results in the formation of secondary abscesses in the viscera, joints, and connective tissue. It sometimes associated with phlebitis or embolism. [Appleton1904]. Septicemia caused by pyogenic microorganisms in the blood, often resulting in the formation of multiple abscesses. [American Heritage]. Example from an 1883 Death Certificate from Pennsylvania: Pyloric Stenosis A congenital disorder in which the pylorus is thickened causing obstruction of the gastric outlet (to the duodenum). More common in males. [CancerWEB] Pyonephritis Purulent inflammation of the kidney. [Dorland]. Distention of the pelvis and calices of the kidney, accompanied by suppuration and associated with obstruction. [American Heritage]. A collection of pus in the kidney. [Merriam-Webster].

Example from a 1919 Death Certificate from Georgia: Pyonephrosis Distention of the pelvis and calices of the kidney, accompanied by suppuration and associated with obstruction. [American Heritage]. A collection of pus in the kidney. [Merriam-Webster]. Example from a 1906 Death Certificate from Massachusetts: Pyosalpinx Distention of a fallopian tube with pus. [American Heritage]. A collection of pus in an oviduct. [Merriam-Webster] Example from an 1889 Infirmary Death Record from England: Pyosepticemia A serious septicemia of newborn animals caused by pus-producing bacteria entering the body through the umbilical cord or opening and typically marked by joint inflammation or arthritis accompanied by generalized pyemia, rapid debilitation, and commonly deathï¿½called also navel ill, joint evil, joint ill. [Merriam Webster]. Pyrexia A rise in the temperature of the body; frequently a symptom of infection; Fever. [Wordnet] Pyrosis A technical name for heartburn. [Collins]. Acid reflux. [Dictionary.com]. Typhoid Fever, Enteric Fever.

[A Treatise on the Continued Fevers, Wilson, 1881]. Pyuria Poliomyelitis (infantile paralysis, polio) You are Here: Home Page > Communicable Disease > Poliomyelitis (infantile paralysis, polio) Poliomyelitis (infantile paralysis, polio) Poliomielitis - Medline Plus Información de Salud para Usted What is polio? Polio is a viral disease which may affect the spinal cord causing muscle weakness and paralysis. The polio virus enters the body through the mouth, usually from hands contaminated with the stool of an infected person. Polio is more common in infants and young children and occurs under conditions of poor hygiene. Paralysis is more common and more severe when infection occurs in older individuals. Who gets polio? The number of cases of polio decreased dramatically in the United States following the introduction of the polio vaccine in 1955 and the development of a national vaccination program. The last cases of naturally occurring polio in the United States were in 1979. Most of the world's population resides in areas considered free of wild poliovirus circulation.

Travelers to countries where polio cases still occur should know they are immune or be fully immunized. In 2008, these areas include Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Eastern Mediterranean. How is polio spread? Polio is spread when the stool of an infected person is introduced into the mouth of another person through contaminated water or food (fecal-oral transmission). Oral-oral transmission by way of an infected person's saliva may account for some cases. When and for how long is a person able to spread polio? Patients are most infectious from seven to ten days before and after the onset of symptoms. However, patients are potentially contagious as long as the virus is present in the throat and feces. The virus persists in the throat for approximately one week after the onset of illness and is excreted in the feces for three to six weeks. What are the symptoms of polio? Up to 95 percent of people infected with polio have no symptoms. However, infected persons without symptoms can still spread the virus and cause others to develop polio. About four to five percent of infected people have minor symptoms such as fever, muscle weakness, headache, nausea and vomiting.

One to two percent of infected persons develop severe muscle pain and stiffness in the neck and back. Less than one percent of polio cases result in paralysis. How soon after infection do symptoms appear? The incubation period is commonly six to 20 days with a range of three to 35 days. What are the complications associated with polio? Complications include paralysis, most commonly of the legs. Paralysis of the muscles of breathing and swallowing can be fatal. What is the treatment for polio? There is presently no cure for polio. Treatment involves supportive care. Does past infection with polio make a person immune? There are three types of polio virus. Lifelong immunity usually depends on which type of virus a person contracts. Second attacks are rare and result from infection with a polio virus of a different type than the first attack. Is there a vaccine for polio? There are two types of polio vaccine: trivalent oral polio vaccine (tOPV), given by mouth, and inactivated polio vaccine (IPV), given as an injection. As of January 2000, tOPV is no longer recommended for immunization in the United States.

The recommended schedule for childhood immunization is for IPV to be given at two, four, and six to 18 months of age and between four to six years of age. Adults traveling to countries where polio cases are occurring should review their immunization status to make sure they are immune. In New York State, polio vaccine is required for all children enrolled in pre-kindergarten programs and schools. How can polio be prevented? Maintaining high levels of polio immunization in the community is the single most effective preventive measure. What is post-polio syndrome (PPS)? PPS is a condition that affects polio survivors ten to 40 years after recovery from an initial infection. PPS is characterized by further weakening of muscles that were previously affected by the polio infection. Symptoms include fatigue, slowly progressive muscle weakness and deterioration. Joint pain and bone deformities are common. PPS is generally not life-threatening. There is no known cause or effective treatment for PPS.

Revised: January 2014 Polio | definition of polio by Medical dictionary Polio | definition of polio by Medical dictionary Definition Poliomyelitis, also called polio or infantile paralysis , is a highly infectious viral disease that may attack the central nervous system and is characterized by symptoms that range from a mild nonparalytic infection to total paralysis in a matter of hours. Description There are three known types of polioviruses (called 1,2, and 3), each causing a different strain of the disease and all are members of the viral family of enteroviruses (viruses that infect the gastrointestinal tract). Type 1 is the cause of epidemics and many cases of paralysis, which is the most severe manifestation of the infection. The virus is usually a harmless parasite of human beings. Some statistics quote one in 200 infections as leading to paralysis while others state that one in 1,000 cases reach the central nervous system (CNS). When it does reach the CNS, inflammation and destruction of the spinal cord motor cells (anterior horn cells) occurs, which prevents them from sending out impulses to muscles. This causes the muscles to become limp or soft and they cannot contract.

This is referred to as flaccid paralysis and is the type found in polio. The extent of the paralysis depends on where the virus strikes and the number of cells that it destroys. Usually, some of the limb muscles are paralyzed; the abdominal muscles or muscles of the back may be paralyzed, affecting posture. The neck muscles may become too weak for the head to be lifted. Paralysis of the face muscles may cause the mouth to twist or the eyelids to droop. Life may be threatened if paralysis of the throat or of the breathing muscles occurs. Man is the only natural host for polioviruses and it most commonly infects younger children, although older children and adults can be infected. Crowded living conditions and poor hygiene encourage the spread of poliovirus. Risk factors for this paralytic illness include older age, pregnancy , abnormalities of the immune system, recent tonsillectomy, and a recent episode of excessively strenuous exercise concurrent with the onset of the CNS phase. Causes and symptoms Poliovirus can be spread by direct exposure to an infected individual, and more rarely, by eating foods contaminated with waste products from the intestines (feces) and/or droplets of moisture (saliva) from an infected person.

Thus, the major route of transmission is fecal-oral, which occurs primarily with poor sanitary conditions. The virus is believed to enter the body through the mouth with primary multiplication occurring in the lymphoid tissues in the throat, where it can persist for about one week. During this time, it is absorbed into the blood and lymphatics from the gastrointestinal tract where it can reside and multiply, sometimes for as long as 17 weeks. Once absorbed, it is widely distributed throughout the body until it ultimately reaches the CNS (the brain and spinal cord). The infection is passed on to others when poor handwashing allows the virus to remain on the hands after eating or using the bathroom. Transmission remains possible while the virus is being excreted and it can be transmitted for as long as the virus remains in the throat or feces. The incubation period ranges from three to 21 days, but cases are most infectious from seven to 10 days before and after the onset of symptoms. There are two basic patterns to the virus: the minor illness (abortive type) and the major illness (which may be paralytic or nonparalytic).

The minor illness accounts for 80-90% of clinical infections and is found mostly in young children. It is mild and does not involve the CNS. Symptoms include a slight fever , fatigue, headache, sore throat, and vomiting, which generally develop three to five days after exposure. Recovery from the minor illness occurs within 24-72 hours. Symptoms of the major illness usually appear without a previous minor illness and generally affect older children and adults. About 10% of people infected with poliovirus develop severe headache and pain and stiffness of the neck and back. This is due to an inflammation of the meninges (tissues which cover the spinal cord and brain). This syndrome is called "aseptic meningitis." The term "aseptic" is used to differentiate this type of meningitis from those caused by bacteria. The patient usually recovers completely from this illness within several days. About 1% of people infected with poliovirus develop the most severe form. Some of these patients may have two to three symptom-free days between the minor illness and the major illness but the symptoms often appear without any previous minor illness. Symptoms again include headache and back and neck pain.

The major symptoms, however, are due to invasion of the motor nerves, which are responsible for movement of the muscles. This viral invasion causes inflammation, and then destruction of these nerves. The muscles, therefore, no longer receive any messages from the brain or spinal cord. The muscles become weak, floppy, and then totally paralyzed. All muscle tone is lost in the affected limb and the muscle becomes soft (flaccid). Within a few days, the muscle will begin to decrease in size (atrophy). The affected muscles may be on both sides of the body (symmetric paralysis), but are often on unbalanced parts of the body (asymmetric paralysis). Sensation or the ability to feel is not affected in these paralyzed limbs. When poliovirus invades the brainstem (the stalk of brain which connects the two cerebral hemispheres with the spinal cord, called bulbar polio), a person may begin to have trouble breathing and swallowing. In its most severe form, polio causes paralysis of the muscles of the legs, arms, and respiratory system. All muscle tone is lost in the affected limb, and the muscle becomes flaccid and begins to atrophy, as shown in the illustration above.

(Illustration by Electronic Illustrators Group.) If the brainstem is severely affected, the brain's control of such vital functions as heart rate and blood pressure may be disturbed. This can lead to death . The maximum state of paralysis is usually reached within just a few days. The remaining, unaffected nerves then begin the process of attempting to grow branches which can compensate for the destroyed nerves. Fortunately, the nerve cells are not always completely destroyed. By the end of a month, the nerve impulses start to return to the apparently paralyzed muscle and by the end of six months, recovery is almost complete. If the nerve cells are completely destroyed, however, paralysis is permanent. Diagnosis Fever and asymmetric flaccid paralysis without sensory loss in a child or young adult almost always indicate poliomyelitis. Using a long, thin needle inserted into the lower back to withdraw spinal fluid (lumbar puncture) will reveal increased white blood cells and no bacteria (aseptic meningitis). Nonparalytic poliomyelitis cannot be distinguished clinically from aseptic meningitis due to other agents. Virus isolated from a throat swab and/or feces or blood tests demonstrating the rise in a specific antibody is required to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment There is no specific treatment for polio except symptomatic. Therapy is designed to make the patient more comfortable (pain medications and hot packs to soothe the muscles), and intervention if the muscles responsible for breathing fail (for instance, a ventilator to take over the work of breathing). During active infection, rest on a firm bed is indicated. Physical therapy is the most important part of management of paralytic polio during recovery. Prognosis When poliovirus causes only the minor illness or simple aseptic meningitis, the patient can be expected to recover completely. When the patientis diagnosed with the major illness, about 50% will recover completely. About 25% of such patients will have slight disability, and about 25% will have permanent and serious disability. Approximately 1% of all patients with major illness die. The greatest return of muscle function occurs in the first six months, but improvements may continue for two years. A recently described phenomenon called postpolio syndrome may begin many years after the initial illness. This syndrome is characterized by a very slow, gradual decrease in muscle strength. Prevention There are two types of polio immunizations available in the United States.

Both of these vaccines take advantage of the fact that infection with polio leads to an immune reaction, which will give the person permanent, lifelong immunity from re-infection with the form of poliovirus for which the person was vaccinated. The Sabin vaccine (also called the oral polio vaccine or OPV) is given to infants by mouth at the same intervals as the DPT (three doses). It contains the live, but weakened, poliovirus, which make the recipient immune to future infections with poliovirus. Because OPV uses live virus, it has the potential to cause infection in individuals with weak immune defenses (both in the person who receives the vaccine and in close contacts). This is a rare complication, however, occurring in only one in 6.8 million doses administered and one in every 6.4 million doses from having close contact with someone who received the vaccine. The Salk vaccine (also called the killed polio vaccine or inactivated polio vaccine) consists of a series of three shots that are given just under the skin. This immunization contains no live virus, just the components of the virus that provoke the recipient's immune system to react as if the recipient were actually infected with the poliovirus.

The recipient thus becomes immune to infection with the poliovirus in the future. In the 13 years following the launching of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, the number of cases has fallen 99% from an estimated 350,000 cases to less than 3,500 cases worldwide in 2000. At the end of 2000, the number of polio-infected countries was approximately 20, down from 125. The goal of the World Health Organization (WHO) is to have polio eliminated from the planet by the year 2005. The virus has still been identified in Africa and parts of Asia, so travelers to those areas may want to check with their physicians concerning booster vaccinations. Resources Books Braunwald MD, E., A. Fauci MD, D. Kasper MD, S. Hauser MD,D. Longo MD, and J. Jameson MD. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2001. Cecil, R., and L. Goldman. Cecil Textbook of Medicine. Philadelphia: W.B.

Saunders, 1999. Periodicals Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Poliomyelitis prevention in the United States: Updated recommendations of the AdvisoryCommittee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)." MMWR 2000. Other World Health Organization. "Global Polio EradicationProgress 2000." poliomyelitis [po″le-o-mi″ĕ-li´tis] an acute infectious disease occurring sporadically or in epidemics and caused by a virus, usually a poliovirus but occasionally a coxsackievirus or echovirus . Called also polio . Initial clinical characteristics include fever, sore throat, headache, and vomiting, often with stiffness of the neck and back. In the minor illness these may be the only symptoms. The major illness (called also infantile paralysis ), which may or may not be preceded by the minor illness, is characterized by involvement of the central nervous system, stiff neck, pleocytosis in the spinal fluid, and perhaps paralysis within a week. Bulbar poliomyelitis is a serious form involving the medulla oblongata and usually becomes evident within three days.

The muscles of swallowing and breathing are affected, so that the patient has difficulty swallowing, speaking, and breathing. In all forms, there may be subsequent atrophy of groups of muscles, ending in contraction and permanent deformity. There are three known types of poliovirus, each causing a different type of the disease. Most paralytic cases are caused by type 1. Poliovirus is found in the throat of a patient for the first few days of the disease, and in the intestines for a longer period, sometimes as long as 17 weeks. The disease spreads by means of droplets of moisture from an infected person's throat or by waste products from the intestines. The contagious period is 7 or more days from the time of onset of the disease. The poliovirus is short-lived, and cannot survive long in the air. The incubation period of polio is from 1 to 2 weeks, and occasionally as long as 3 weeks. Members of the family or other contacts may be carriers, but only for a short period of time. Treatment. There is at present no cure for polio; once the disease begins it must be allowed to run its course.

Supportive care is important, however, and proper symptomatic treatment can reduce discomfort and prevent some crippling aftereffects. Applications of heat in the form of hot wet packs, diathermy , warm baths in the form of hydrotherapy , and gentle exercising can reduce pain caused by muscle spasms and prevent deformities. During the acute stage of the disease bed rest is essential and the patient is kept warm and quiet. Postpolio Weakness. Although immunization efforts to eradicate polio have reduced its current incidence in the United States to fewer than 10 cases each year, survivors of previous epidemics are experiencing a second encounter with the illness. Weakness in one or more muscles appears to be a late complication of the infection. The weakness can affect muscles that were first involved in the disease or it can affect those that were not formerly weakened. The cause of this phenomenon is not yet known and there is no treatment available, other than medications known to be effective in combating autoimmune diseases . It is hoped that this form of therapy will retard or arrest the process causing the weakness. Prevention. The first safe, effective vaccine against polio used killed polioviruses to stimulate production and release of antibodies. It was developed under the direction of Dr. Jonas E.

Salk, and was nicknamed the Salk vaccine ; its proper name is poliovirus vaccine inactivated (IPV). It was later replaced by an oral preparation of attenuated viruses called poliovirus vaccine live oral , nicknamed the Sabin vaccine after its discoverer, Dr. Albert Sabin. In recent years in the United States, the Salk vaccine has come back into use. It does not induce intestinal immunity and so is not effective for poliovirus eradication in areas where wild-type polioviruses still exist in large numbers. However, it does not cause vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis and so is preferred for routine immunization in areas where the risk of infection by a wild-type polivirus is very low. po·li·o Abbrev. for POLIOMYELITIS . Patient discussion about polio Q. is polio contagus If i have a friend that had it when he was younger and it went away and then came back can i get it? A. highly contagious, it's an Enterovirus. if your friend didn't wash his hands after the bathroom and touched your sandwich it can infect you. he can even contaminate water sources...but no air-born contamination.

but most western countries vaccinated against that, so you should be fine. Q. Polio Syndrome pain One of my aunt is taking Neurontin for Post Polio Syndrome pain in her left leg and arm. she did not realize that she had so much pain and that it was keeping her from doing so many things. Is Neurontin recomended for this treatment and how does it help? Will she have problems with Neurontin if she take it long term? Neurontin is greatly helping the pain but not the fatique in these limbs. Should it help the fatigue? A. Neurontin is being given as medication for nerve pain now also...I take 800 mg a day and it was started for back pain and it is also being used in some fibro patients I am learning( i also have fibromyalgia) It didn't cause me a lot of drowsness but amount of medication and medications affect people differently so each person can be different. But with the fatigue fibromyalgia causes maybe I just can't tell the difference b/c before I started it I was tried all the time and that is not any worse.

But if your Aunt and yourself feel uncomfortable with this treatment I would suggest a second opinion. Good Luck to your Aunt Q. Help for/with post-polio problems A. Clemon -you'll have to be more specific on what kind of help do you ask for. you seek info? seek other people suffering from post-polio? what? all i can do is give you a good link about it with some info..hope that what you look for:

Question: Which disease used to be called infantile paralysis?
Answer: POLIOMYELITIS