Note: Individuals infected with the poliovirus are often asymptomatic. In approximately 25% of cases, polio presents as a mild to moderate illness marked by headache, fever, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, and fatigue. Polio affects the central nervous system only infrequently with inflammation and sometimes destruction of the motor neurons in the gray matter of the spinal cord and brain stem. Central nervous system involvement results in temporary or permanent muscle weakness or motor paralysis especially of the limbs and typically the legs. Polio may become life-threatening when paralysis affects the muscles involved in breathing and swallowing.
Mary Beth Norton et al.Betsy McKaycalled also infantile paralysis, poliomyelitis
see post-polio syndromeExamples of polio in a Sentence
Kyle Denis, Billboard, 16 Apr. 2024
According to his official biography, Harley was born on Feb. 27, 1951 in London and became especially interested in music and poetry while being bedridden and treated for polio during his childhood.
—Sadie Bell, Peoplemag, 18 Mar. 2024
Paul developed polio in the summer of 1952, at the age of 6.
—Mira Cheng, CNN, 13 Mar. 2024
Route 78 Rotary, a regional Hispanic Club, is a member of Rotary International and promotes programs including youth leadership, scholarships, music, medical and dental clinics, food distribution and polio eradication.
—The San Diego Union-Tribune Staff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2024
Yet, DeFord Bailey continued to break barriers, particularly with his harmonica playing that mimicked the sound of trains, a technique that came from his childhood battles with polio after being diagnosed with the disease at the age of 3.
—David Begnaud, CBS News, 7 Feb. 2024
Yes, there have only been 12 cases of wild polio reported in 2023.
—Helen Branswell, STAT, 22 Dec. 2023
Most Americans learn as schoolchildren that Jonas Salk was the genius behind the invention of the polio vaccine.
—Alicia Ault, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Mar. 2024
Paul developed polio in the summer of 1952 at the age of 6 and was paralyzed from the neck down.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN, 14 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'polio.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near polio
Cite this Entry
“Polio.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polio. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
polio
noun
Medical Definition
polio
noun
Note: Individuals infected with the poliovirus are often asymptomatic. In approximately 25% of cases, polio presents as a mild to moderate illness marked by headache, fever, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, and fatigue. Polio affects the central nervous system only infrequently with inflammation and sometimes destruction of the motor neurons in the gray matter of the spinal cord and brain stem. Central nervous system involvement results in temporary or permanent muscle weakness or flaccid paralysis of muscles especially of the limbs and typically the legs. Polio may become life-threatening when paralysis affects the muscles involved in breathing and swallowing.
People WeeklyEvan Johnson, The Addison County (Vermont) Independentcalled also infantile paralysis, poliomyelitis
see post-polio syndrome
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