poliomyelitis

[ poh-lee-oh-mahy-uh-lahy-tis ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. an acute viral disease, usually affecting children and young adults, caused by any of three polioviruses, characterized by inflammation of the motor neurons of the brain stem and spinal cord, and resulting in a motor paralysis, followed by muscular atrophy and often permanent deformities.

poliomyelitis

/ ˌpəʊlɪəʊˌmaɪəˈlaɪtɪs /

noun

1. an acute infectious viral disease, esp affecting children. In its paralytic form ( acute anterior poliomyelitis ) the brain and spinal cord are involved, causing weakness, paralysis, and wasting of muscle Often shortened topolio Also calledinfantile paralysis

poliomyelitis

/ pō′lē-ō-mī′ə-lī′tĭs /

1. A highly communicable infectious disease caused by the poliovirus of the genus Enterovirus that causes inflammation of motor neurons of the spinal cord and brainstem, leading to paralysis, muscular atrophy, and often disability and deformity. Childhood vaccinations are given to prevent infection.
2. Also called polio

poliomyelitis

1. An acute disease , and an infectious disease , caused by a virus , that brings about inflammation of certain nerve cells in the spinal cord . It can have a wide range of effects, from mild to severe, including paralysis , permanent disability, and death. In the United States, the disease has now largely vanished since the development of a vaccine against it. ( See Sabin vaccine and Salk vaccine .)

Notes

President Franklin D. Roosevelt suffered from poliomyelitis. During his presidency, he could not walk unaided.

The history of polio, which went from a major public health problem to a minor one in a short time, is often used as an example of the benefits of medical research.

Other Words From

• po·li·o·my·e·lit·ic [poh-lee-oh-mahy-, uh, -, lit, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of poliomyelitis¹

1875–80; < New Latin < Greek polió ( s ) gray + New Latin myelitis myelitis

Word History and Origins

Origin of poliomyelitis¹

C19: New Latin, from Greek polios grey + muelos marrow

Example Sentences

In the midst of a catastrophic war, authorities set out to vaccinate nearly 650,000 children under the age of 10 at risk of contracting poliomyelitis, a highly infectious disease caused by a virus that invades the nervous system.

From Los Angeles Times

This includes natural disasters, violence and infectious diseases including measles, cholera and poliomyelitis for the DRC.

From Salon

Polio, officially known as poliomyelitis, is a highly infectious viral disease transmitted mainly through feces in places with poor sanitation.

From New York Times

Polio, known medically as poliomyelitis, is a highly infectious disease caused by one of three poliovirus types that replicate in the human gastrointestinal tract.

From Seattle Times

Experts agree that a vaccinated population is the best defense against poliomyelitis, the technical name for the disease caused by the poliovirus—which can sometimes lead to permanent paralysis.

From Scientific American