Note: Individuals infected with the poliovirus are often asymptomatic. In approximately 25% of cases, polio presents as a mild to moderate illness marked by headache, fever, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, and fatigue. Polio affects the central nervous system only infrequently with inflammation and sometimes destruction of the motor neurons in the gray matter of the spinal cord and brain stem. Central nervous system involvement results in temporary or permanent muscle weakness or motor paralysis especially of the limbs and typically the legs. Polio may become life-threatening when paralysis affects the muscles involved in breathing and swallowing.
Mary Beth Norton et al.Betsy McKaycalled also infantile paralysis, poliomyelitis
see post-polio syndromeExamples of polio in a Sentence
Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said its polio vaccination rounds were largely successful in central and southern Gaza.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 30 Oct. 2024
Polio's reappearance anywhere is a stark reminder that until all forms of polio are gone, children in every country remain at risk.
—Sarah Ferguson, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024
Other humanitarian agencies have previously voiced concerns about the viability of the polio campaign in northern Gaza, where an Israeli offensive is underway.
—Reuters, USA TODAY, 15 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for polio 
Dictionary Entries Near polio
Cite this Entry
“Polio.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polio. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
polio
noun
Medical Definition
polio
noun
Note: Individuals infected with the poliovirus are often asymptomatic. In approximately 25% of cases, polio presents as a mild to moderate illness marked by headache, fever, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, and fatigue. Polio affects the central nervous system only infrequently with inflammation and sometimes destruction of the motor neurons in the gray matter of the spinal cord and brain stem. Central nervous system involvement results in temporary or permanent muscle weakness or flaccid paralysis of muscles especially of the limbs and typically the legs. Polio may become life-threatening when paralysis affects the muscles involved in breathing and swallowing.
People WeeklyEvan Johnson, The Addison County (Vermont) Independentcalled also infantile paralysis, poliomyelitis
see post-polio syndrome
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