Acute anterior poliomyelitis, commonly referred to as polio, is a highly infectious viral disease caused by the poliovirus. It primarily affects the spinal cord's grey matter, leading to the paralysis of muscles, particularly those in the limbs, and sometimes affecting the respiratory muscles.
The virus spreads through direct contact with the feces or throat secretions of an infected person and can also be transmitted through contaminated food and water. The infection primarily affects children, with individuals under five years of age being at the greatest risk.
The disease's onset is often characterized by flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, sore throat, and muscular stiffness. In some cases, polio progresses further, leading to muscle weakness, loss of reflexes, and even paralysis. The severity of the symptoms can range from mild to severe, with severe cases often resulting in permanent disability or death.
Although there is no known cure for acute anterior poliomyelitis, prevention is possible through vaccination with the polio vaccine. Wide-scale immunization efforts have significantly reduced the incidence of polio worldwide, making it an eradication goal for global health organizations.
The term "acute anterior poliomyelitis" specifically refers to the involvement of the anterior horn cells in the spinal cord, which are responsible for transmitting motor signals to the muscles. This selective targeting by the virus is what causes the characteristic muscle weakness and paralysis associated with polio.
