Can polio cause problems later in life?

Can polio cause problems later in life?

Polio symptoms vary from mild flu-like symptoms to paralysis and possibly death. People who have had polio may experience effects later in life called the late effects of polio, when physical symptoms emerge 15 years or more after the first polio infection.

Can polio cause pneumonia?

Without respiratory support, consequences of poliomyelitis with respiratory involvement include suffocation or pneumonia from aspiration of secretions. Overall, 5 to 10 percent of patients with paralytic polio die due to the paralysis of muscles used for breathing.

Does polio cause respiratory problems?

Severe polio may lead to paralysis and breathing problems.

What damage does polio do to the body?

Polio, or poliomyelitis, is a disabling and life-threatening disease caused by the poliovirus. The virus spreads from person to person and can infect a person’s spinal cord, causing paralysis (can’t move parts of the body).

Does post polio syndrome affect the lungs?

Weakness in your diaphragm and chest muscles makes it harder to take deep breaths and cough, which can cause fluid and mucus to build up in your lungs.

How long can you live with post polio syndrome?

Long interval after recovery. People who recover from the initial attack of polio often live for years without further signs or symptoms. The onset of late effects varies widely but typically begins at least 15 years after the initial diagnosis.

How does polio affect the lungs?

How long can you live with post-polio syndrome?

Does polio affect lungs directly?

Respiratory muscle weakness, for instance, can result in trouble with proper breathing, affecting daytime functions and sleep. Weakness in swallowing muscles can result in aspiration of food and liquids into the lungs and lead to pneumonia.

Can you recover from post-polio syndrome?

There’s currently no cure for post-polio syndrome, so treatment focuses on helping you manage your symptoms and improving your quality of life. People with the condition are often treated by a team of different healthcare professionals working together. This is known as a multidisciplinary team (MDT).

Can you fully recover from polio?

How Long Does Polio Last? People who have milder polio symptoms usually make a full recovery within 1–2 weeks. People whose symptoms are more severe can be weak or paralyzed for life, and some may die. After recovery, a few people might develop “post-polio syndrome” as long as 30–40 years after their initial illness.