Polio-Lance+Jelinski

**__Polio__**

**What is Polio:**
Polio is a viral disease and is caused by a species known as [|poliovirus]. Poliovirus is from the genus enterovirus. A particle of poliovirus is made of an RNA genome and a protein capsid. The genome is single-stranded and is about 7500 nucleotides long. The viral part is about 30 nanometres in diameter.

**Effects:**
There are many symptoms of polio and not everyone will experience all of the symptoms. __**In mild polio, some of the symptoms are:**__
 * headache
 * nausea
 * vomiting
 * general discomfort
 * slight fever
 * stiff neck and back
 * fatigue and muscle pain
 * __The symptoms paralytic polio (severe) are different. Individuals with paralytic polio may experience:__**
 * tremor
 * muscle weakness
 * fever
 * stiffness
 * constipation
 * muscle pain and spasms
 * difficulty swallowing

**Treatment:**
Polio can be treated, a doctor would subscribe the medication to a patient with polio.

**How does it spread?:**
Polio can be spread by a number of ways. People who have not been immunized against polio or have a weakened immune systems may get polio from people who are receiving the oral polio vaccine. In poorer countries, the polio virus is spread by eating food or drinking water contaminated by the polio virus. The polio virus may also be transfered through direct contact with the infected.

**Prevention:**
Polio can be prevented. There is a vaccine available to prevent polio. All children between the ages of six weeks and 18 years should be vaccinated against polio as part of their vaccination schedule.

**References:**
[] [] [] (canada health) []