Polio or Poliomyelitis is a potentially fatal infectious disease. There is no cure, but there are safe and effective vaccines and polio was officially eradicated in Australia in 2000.
Only 1-2% of polio cases are associated with paralysis and the majority of cases being symptomless. The younger the infection, the less likely the paralysis, the older, the more severe and disabling. If the virus crosses the blood brain barrier it causes damage and death to the motor neurons of the anterior horn in the cervical and lumbar spinal cord showing varying patterns of paralysis.
Not many health professionals have a deep understanding of polio, the late effects of polio and Post Polio Syndrome – this has historically led to a distrust of the medical profession.
