infections
Polio
Diagnosis of Polio
Tests on a sample of stool or secretions from the throat Blood tests A spinal tap Abortive poliomyelitisresembles other viral infections and is typically not diagnosed unless it occurs during a polio epidemic. Nonparalytic poliomyelitisis suspected in people who have flu-like symptoms and stiff neck and/or back. Paralytic poliomyelitisis suspected in people who have muscle or limb paralysis or weakness. The diagnosis of nonparalytic poliomyelitis or paralytic poliomyelitis is confirmed by identifying poliovirus in a stool sample or throat swab or by detecting high levels of antibodies to the virus in the blood. Doctors usually also do a Spinal Tap (lumbar puncture) to look for other disorders that affect the brain and/or spinal cord and to test the spinal fluid for poliovirus. 