Poliomyelitis symptoms are usually grouped into 3 categories, namely minor symptoms, aseptic meningitis and paralytic poliomyelitis. (See Reference 1) The symptoms what an infected person shows fall into one of these categories.

As the name suggests, minor symptoms poliomyelitis are not too grave and are seen in around four to eight percent of the infected people. These symptoms include fever, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, pain in the abdomen, constipation and symptoms similar to common flu. (See Reference 1) The infected people who have minor symptoms generally do not get paralysis and also do not show other graver symptoms of the disease. Generally, the minor symptoms last for around 2 to 3 days and thereafter, the infected person recovers completely. (See Reference 1)

Around one to two percent of people infected with polio virus get aseptic meningitis. In these people, the initial symptoms are similar to those of minor polio. Thereafter, the person experiences stiffness in the back or the legs and heightened abnormal feelings. However, the symptoms tend to get better within a period of two to ten days and the infected person makes a full recovery. (See Reference 1)

When it comes to paralytic poliomyelitis, less than one percent of people infected with the virus get paralysis. These are severe cases of infection and usually the poliomyelitis symptoms start with fever, ache in the muscles, loss of reflexes, and other symptoms seen in minor poliomyelitis. (See Reference 1) These initial symptoms tend to get better, but after about five to ten days the person gets fever again and thereafter the paralysis starts. The paralysis keeps progressing for around 2 to 3 days and when the fever abates and the temperature is normal, the paralysis not longer progresses. Besides the paralysis, the infected person also experiences painful cramps in the muscles and twitching of the muscles. (See Reference 1) The chances of paralysis are more as the age of the infected person increases. It has been seen that in kids less than 5 years of age, paralysis occurs generally in just one leg. However, in adults, the paralysis affects both the arms and legs. In addition, the muscles that control breathing and urination can also get paralyzed. (See Reference 1) It must be noted that paralytic poliomyelitis is generally not fatal, and many infected people make full recovery. Also, some amount of function returns to the paralyzed muscles. But, if the paralysis is for a period of 6 months or more, then it is permanent. (See Reference 1) It has been seen that due to paralytic polio, around two to five percent kids and around fifteen to thirty percent adults die. (See Reference 1)

However, it has been seen that though the poliomyelitis symptoms tend to appear after seven to fourteen days of getting infected, nearly ninety-five percent of infected people do not show any symptoms. (See Reference 1) Unfortunately, these infected people have the ability to transmit the virus to other uninfected people around them even without the presence of symptoms. (See Reference 1)

More Articles :

• What Is Poliomyelitis ?
• Causes And Symptoms Of Poliomyelitis
• Post Polio Syndrome Treatment
• Prevention Of Poliomyelitis
• History Of Poliomyelitis
• Who Discovered The Cure For Polio ?
• How Do You Get Poliomyelitis ?