infections
Polio
Paralytic poliomyelitis
Fewer than 1% of people with poliovirus infection have this severe form of polio. In addition to aseptic meningitis, people who have this form also develop paralysis. The symptoms, which usually appear 7 to 21 days after infection, include fever, severe headache, a stiff neck and back, and deep muscle pain. Sometimes areas of skin develop odd sensations, such as pins and needles or unusual sensitivity to pain. Depending on which parts of the brain and spinal cord are affected, the disease may progress no further, or weakness or paralysis may develop in certain muscles. Typically, paralysis affects the muscles in the arms and legs, making them limp and unable to contract (called flaccid paralysis). The person may have difficulty swallowing and may choke on saliva, food, or fluids. Sometimes fluids go up into the nose, and the voice may develop a nasal quality. Sometimes the part of the brain responsible for breathing is affected, causing weakness or paralysis of the chest muscles. Some people are completely unable to breathe. 