Polio-like syndrome is a general description of a group of symptoms which mimic

polio Poliomyelitis, commonly shortened to polio, is an infectious disease caused by the poliovirus. Approximately 70% of cases are asymptomatic; mild symptoms which can occur include sore throat and fever; in a proportion of cases more severe sy ...

, including rarely permanent

paralysis Paralysis (also known as plegia) is a loss of motor function in one or more muscles. Paralysis can also be accompanied by a loss of feeling (sensory loss) in the affected area if there is sensory damage. In the United States, roughly 1 in 5 ...

. Various triggers have been found, including some viruses from the same virus group as polio:

enterovirus 68 Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) is a member of the ''Picornaviridae'' family, an enterovirus. First isolated in California in 1962 and once considered rare, it has been on a worldwide upswing in the 21st century. It is suspected of causing a polio-like ...

enterovirus 71 Enterovirus 71 (EV71), also known as Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71), is a virus of the genus ''Enterovirus'' in the ''Picornaviridae'' family, notable for its role in causing epidemics of severe neurological disease and hand, foot, and mouth disease i ...

, and coxsackievirus A7. These are suspected in many cases of

acute flaccid myelitis Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is a serious condition of the spinal cord. Symptoms include rapid onset of arm or leg weakness and decreased reflexes. Difficulty moving the eyes, speaking, or swallowing may also occur. Occasionally, numbness or pai ...

. Other non-virus causes of polio-like symptoms are observed, though rarely, from snake bite, spider bite, scorpion sting, tick bite, or chemicals such as

arsenic Arsenic is a chemical element with the symbol As and atomic number 33. Arsenic occurs in many minerals, usually in combination with sulfur and metals, but also as a pure elemental crystal. Arsenic is a metalloid. It has various allotropes, b ...

and

organophosphorus insecticide Organophosphorus compounds are organic compounds containing phosphorus. They are used primarily in pest control as an alternative to chlorinated hydrocarbons that persist in the environment. Some organophosphorus compounds are highly effective ins ...

References

Polio Syndromes {{nervoussystem-disease-stub