poliomyelitis
poliomyelitis (infantile paralysis, polio) (poh-li-oh-my-ĕ-ly-tis) n. an infectious virus disease affecting the central nervous system. Immunization, using the Sabin vaccine or the Salk vaccine, is highly effective. abortive p. poliomyelitis in which only the throat and intestines are infected and the symptoms are those of a stomach upset or influenza. bulbar p. paralytic poliomyelitis in which the muscles of the respiratory system are affected. nonparalytic p. a form of the disease in which the symptoms of abortive poliomyelitis are accompanied by muscle stiffness. paralytic p. a less common form of polio in which the symptoms of the milder forms of the disease are followed by weakness and eventual paralysis of the muscles. See also post-polio syndrome.
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poliomyelitis
