Download poliomyelitis - scienceandindustrie

Joseba Hidalgo
&
María González
What is it?
 It is also known as «Polio» or «Infantile paralysis».
 Its name came from the greek words «poliós» which means grey,
«myelós» which means spinal cord, and «itis» which means
inflammation.
 It is a viral infectious disease, transmitted by fecal-oral route.
 It mainly affects the spinal cord, but can also affects the
brainstream, causing «Polioencephalitis».
 1% of polio cases afect the Central Nervous System (muscle
weakness and flaccid paralysis).
Types of paralysis
Different types of paralysis can occur depending on the
part of the body they affect.
 Spinal polio: causes asimetric paralysis and mainly
affects the legs.
 Bulbar polio: leads to weakness of the nerves
controlled by cranial nerves.
 Bulbospinal polio: combination of bulbar and spinal
paralysis.
History
 The Poliomyelitis as a illness was discovered in 1840.
 It wasn’t until 1908, when its main causative agent was
discovered, the «poliovirus».
 Polio was one of most feared childhood diseases of the
20th century.
 Actually, Poliomyelitis its a rare disease, thanks to the
vaccines developed.
Cause
 Caused by infection.
 Virus name: Poliovirus.
Transmission
 Highly contagious.
 Factors which may
increase the risk of
being infected:
immune
deficiency,
malnutrition,
pregnancy…
Prevention
 Vaccination
Treatment
 There is no cure for
polio.
 Polio treatment often
requires long-term
rehabilitation
including physical
therapy, braces,
corrective shoes and
in some other cases
orthopedic surgery.