Polio

Polio, or Poliomyelitis is a disease caused by one of the polioviruses. Polio affects the brain and spinal cord and causes a sudden onset of paralysis or weakness that makes arms or legs become floppy and hard to move. 

Most people who get polio have no symptoms at all. Fewer than 1% of people who get polio will become paralyzed. Paralysis from polio comes on quickly and usually doesn’t get any worse after 3 days. 

Polio is most commonly spread through the fecal-oral route (poop-to-hand-to-mouth). There is no cure for polio. The best way to prevent polio and paralysis from polio is to get vaccinated.