Polio

A healthcare provider diagnoses polio by performing a physical exam, testing samples of body fluids and asking you about your symptoms. It’s important to let your provider know if you’ve traveled anywhere recently.

Your provider might take samples of body fluids to look for signs of polio or other infections, including:

• Spit (saliva) from your throat.
• Poop (stool).
• Blood.
• Cerebrospinal fluid (liquid around your brain and spinal cord).

Because polio symptoms look a lot like flu symptoms, your provider may do other tests to rule out more common conditions.