Poliomyelitis (Polio)

Poliomyelitis is an infectious disease transmitted by fecal-oral contamination, with lymphatic replication. Before global health efforts, polio caused widespread morbidity and mortality in children during multiple epidemics between 1900-1950. Due to worldwide vaccination efforts that began in the 1980s, poliomyelitis is now considered almost completely eradicated. [1] [2] This disease primarily impacts developing countries with poor sanitation. Healthcare providers in endemic regions should have a high suspicion of polio in patients with viral prodrome symptoms and new-onset paralysis. Consider early serologic testing because if undetected, this disease can cause a static flaccid paralysis in a minority of those infected. Post-Polio Syndrome (PPS) is a progressive syndrome of muscular weakness that may occur later in life. In light of the recent increase in polio-like illnesses in the US, it is important to correctly differentiate between poliomyelitis and other viruses such as Enterovirus D68. [3]