POLIOMYELITIS

Course overview

POLIOMYELITIS (POLIO) IS A VIRAL DISEASE THAT CAN RANGE IN SEVERITY FROM SELF-LIMITING DISEASE TO MENINGITIS. IN ITS MOST SEVERE FORM, IT MAY PRESENT AS ACUTE FLACCID PARALYSIS. POLIO HAS THE POTENTIAL TO SEVERELY DAMAGE MOTOR NEURONS LEADING TO A LIFETIME OF MUSCULAR DYSFUNCTION OR EVEN DEATH IF THE RESPIRATORY FUNCTION IS AFFECTED. TO AVOID SUCH A DISABILITY, THE VACCINE MUST BE ADMINISTERED AS PRIMARY PREVENTION. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE DIAGNOSIS, PREVENTION, TREATMENT, AND COMPLICATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS CONDITION AND THE CARE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM.