Overview

Polio (poliomyelitis) is a disease caused by poliovirus. It causes mild or no symptoms in most people, but in some people it can cause paralysis or death.

There are three variations of poliovirus, called wild poliovirus type 1, 2 and 3 (WPV1, WPV2 and WPV3). Wild polio types 2 and 3 have been eradicated (no longer exist), and wild polio type 1 only exists in a few parts of the world. Polio type 1 is most likely to cause paralysis.

Is polio a virus or disease?

Polio is the name of the disease caused by poliovirus.

Is polio still alive today?

Yes, there are still cases of polio in some parts of the world today. While the number of people affected has been greatly reduced, international efforts to eradicate polio are still ongoing.

What are the types of polio?

Polio can affect your body differently depending on where the virus multiplies and attacks. Types of polio include:

  • Abortive poliomyelitis causes flu-like and intestinal symptoms. It only lasts a few days and doesn’t cause long-lasting issues.
  • Non-paralytic poliomyelitis may cause aseptic meningitis, a swelling of the area around your brain. It causes more symptoms than abortive poliomyelitis and may require you to stay in the hospital.
  • Paralytic poliomyelitis happens when poliovirus attacks your brain and spinal cord. It can paralyze the muscles that allow you to breathe, speak, swallow and move your limbs. Depending on what parts of your body are affected, it’s called spinal polio or bulbar polio. Spinal and bulbar polio can appear together (bulbospinal polio). Less than 1% of people with polio get paralytic poliomyelitis.
  • Polioencephalitis is a rare type of polio that mostly affects infants. It causes brain swelling.
  • Post-polio syndromeis when symptoms of polio come back years after a polio infection.

How does polio affect my body?

Poliovirus gets into your body through your mouth or nose. It makes more copies of itself (reproduces) in your throat and gut (intestines). In some cases, it gets into your brain and spinal cord and causes paralysis. Paralysis can affect your arms, legs or the muscles that control your breathing.

Who is at risk for polio?

You’re most at risk for polio if you aren’t vaccinated and you:

  • Live in or travel to an area where polio hasn’t been eliminated.
  • Live in or travel to an area with poor sanitation.
  • Are under 5.
  • Are pregnant.

Can adults get polio?

Yes, adults can get polio. Many adults have immunity, either because they’re vaccinated or they’ve had polio. Adults who aren’t vaccinated can get polio if they’re exposed to poliovirus.

How common is polio?

Symptomatic polio is rare in many parts of the world, thanks to worldwide vaccination programs. In most countries, polio is considered eliminated — it’s no longer spread in that area. But when people stop getting vaccinated, polio can start to spread again.

Is polio eradicated?

Wild poliovirus types 2 and 3 are globally eradicated. That means there aren’t any naturally occurring cases anymore. Poliovirus type 1 has been eliminated in most countries but not eradicated worldwide. “Eliminated” means a disease is no longer spread in that area. There can still sometimes be cases and outbreaks, usually from international travel.

Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only countries that still have naturally occurring cases of polio.

When was the last recorded case of polio in the U.S.?

The last case of naturally occurring (wild) polio in the U.S. was in 1979. Cases since then have either been contracted outside of the U.S. or have been from the live polio vaccine (vaccine-derived), which is no longer given in the U.S. The last case of vaccine-derived polio in the U.S. was reported in 2022.

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Symptoms

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Complications

Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.
The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:
  • High blood pressure.
  • Diabetes.
  • Heart failure.
  • Some types of heart valve disease.
Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.

Prevention

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:
  • Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
  • Don't smoke or use tobacco.
  • Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
  • Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
  • Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
  • Maintain a healthy weight.
  • Reduce and manage stress.


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