Polio- the virus By: Heather Lassiter and Katya Arbuckle

Polio What is it? It’s a Virus that attacks the central nervous system Generally sets in over night Very contagious Thrives in warm urban environments You often fall asleep feeling mildly ill but wake up not being able to walk or breathe without difficulty. Its been around for thousands of years

Symptoms: Fever Headache Stiff neck or limbs Irritated spinal cord Muscle spasms or tenderness Fatigue

Current research Scientists aren't sure exactly how its spreads through the body Dr. Jones Salk first created a method to treat the disease in the 1950s Albert Sabin, another scientist further developed the method Oral vaccination is the most common treatment today Still controversy on whether the virus spreads through the bloodstream or directly through the nerves The World Health Organization (WHO)launched its Universal Childhood Immunization Initiative in 1985 WHO is continuing to try and decrease the disease

How it’s spread The virus gets into the body through the mouth/nose and goes into the intestines It reproduces in the intestines It can get into your blood stream The most common way to catch the virus is trough unsanitary water

Who’s most Susceptible? Children are more susceptible They have weaker immune systems Playing outside People who live in poor countries- they don’t have access to clean water and food

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Work Cited books: Epidemics Deadly Diseases Throughout History Polio- by Alison stark Draper Milestones in modern science -The First Polio vaccine by Guy de la Bedoyere websites: Pictures: