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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
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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
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 Who’s most Susceptible?
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: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/polio/ • Pictures: www.google.com