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What are
the signs and symptoms of polio?
The polio
virus attacks the nerve cells that control muscle movements.
Many people infected with the virus have few or no symptoms.
Others have short-term symptoms, such as headache, tiredness,
fever, stiff neck and back, and muscle pain.
More
serious problems happen when the virus invades nerves in the
brain and causes paralysis of the muscles used in swallowing
and breathing. Invasion of the nerves in the spinal cord can
cause paralysis of the arms, legs, or trunk.
How soon
after exposure do symptoms appear?
Symptoms
usually start 7 to 14 days after exposure to the virus.
Infected persons are most contagious from a few days before to
a few days after the start of symptoms. However, persons with
polio can spread the infection for as long as the virus is in
their throat or stool. The virus can be found in the throat
for about 1 week after infection and in the stool for 6 weeks
or longer.
How is
polio diagnosed?
Polio is
diagnosed by a blood test or culture.
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