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Polio is a disabling and life-threatening disease caused by the poliovirus. The virus spreads from person to person and can infect a person's spinal cord.

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Poliovirus is highly infectious and has an incubation period that is usually 7-10 days but can range from 4-35 days.  The virus enters through the body and multiplies in the intestines.  Then it invades the nervous system/ spinal cord.

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Polio can cause paralysis or partial paralysis that affects upper and lower limbs of the body. If not properly rehabbed the person could have long lasting problems such as the person in the photo, that will wear this leg brace for the rest of her life.

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Proper hygiene is a great way to keep infections at bay.

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Polio is found in the throat and intestines of humans. It is transmitted through droplets, via coughing or sneezing, and in your poop. You can contract it by a carrier coughing on you or by handling poop that contains the Polio virus. That is one reason it was such a problem in 3rd world countries.

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A person who is has contracted the Polio virus will exhibit flu like symptoms such as headache, fatigue, fever, nausea, and wasting away. More sever symptoms include muscle weakness, loss of muscle, and muscle quiver.

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If poliovirus is contracted you will need to treat with muscle relaxers, pain relievers, physical therapy, bed rest, fluids, and heating pads to help reduce muscle spasms.

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All this has been possible due to the Polio vaccine. There are 2 types of Polio vaccines available. 1.) an inactivated poliovirus given by injection. 2.) weakened poliovirus given by mouth. The WHO recommend all children be vaccinated against Polio.

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Polio wasn't wide spread till the 19th century but evidence indicates it has been around since the ancient Egyptian times. There are 2 images that are very similar to this found in Egyptian times. It wasn't till 1789 a pediatrician in London, Michael Underwood, published the first clear description of the disease in infants in a medical book.

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I have personally known someone who has had this disease since he was a little boy. He is an elderly gentleman and when asked he said "I don't really ever remember a time that i didn't have these braces on my legs." Even though he has had this disease and disability a majority of his life, he has not let it slow it down and has always gotten around just fine.