How is it spread throughout the body?
Poliomyelitis affects the body though the central nervous system. Once the virus has established in the mucosal surfaces of the nasopharanx the virus can multiply in certain cells in the intestines. It then enters the the blood stream to take over the central nervous system, where it spreads along nerve fibres and multiplies. As it multiplies, it destroys the nerve cells that activate muscles. The affected muscles are no longer functional and cannot regenerate so the limb becomes flopper deformed. The central nervous system is responsible for sending, receiving and interpreting information from the different parts of the body. the nervous system consists of the brain, spinal cord and a complex network of neurons. the brain processes the sensory information sent via the spinal cord.
How does polio affect the body?
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As the polio virus destroys the nerve cells that activate the skeletal muscles, the affected muscles lose their function (causing paralysis). This is due to the lack of nervous enervation and that the cells cant regenerate. Patients that suffer from poliomyelitis are usually more affected in their leg muscles rather than their arm muscles.
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