Question

In polio, the legs get paralyzed and atrophied due to?
A. Obstruction of muscles
B. Degeneration of bones
C. Death of some muscles
D. Shrinkage of muscles

Answer 1

Hint: Polio caused by the poliovirus which is an infectious disease. Sometimes polio can progress to paralytic disease. It is all because of weakness in the muscles.

Complete Answer:
- In polio, legs get paralyzed and atrophied due to death of muscles. In about 0.5% cases it moves from the gut to affect the central nervous system and there is muscle weakness resulting in a flaccid paralysis. This can occur in a few hours to a few days.
- Poliovirus can spread person to person through infected fecal matter entering the mouth. These diseases are preventable with polio vaccine.
- The US Centers for disease control and prevention recommends polio vaccination boosters for travelers and those who live in countries where the disease is occurring. Poliomyelitis have existed for thousands of years, with depictions of the disease in ancient art. Albert Sabin developed an oral vaccine, which has become the world standard.
- The first polio vaccine was developed in the 1950's by Jonas Salk. In the 20th century it was the most worrying childhood disease. Those who are infected can spread the disease for up to six weeks even if no symptoms are present. This disease only occurs naturally in humans. This is caused by the infection with the member of the genus enterovirus known as poliovirus (PV).

Three types of poliovirus are identified:
- Poliovirus type1 (PV1)
- Poliovirus type2 (PV2)
- Poliovirus type3 (PV3)
Each with a slightly different capsid protein.

Hence, the correct answer for this question is C, i.e. Death of some muscles.

Note: Polio is highly contagious. It can affect virtually the entire human population. The disease is transmitted primarily. Polio is most infectious between 7 and 10 days before and after the appearance of symptoms.