THE MILLENNIAL POLIO

BY OLIVIA WALLON – As the cold season is kicking into high gear, it is becoming more common to associate the common cold with fatigue and weakness, two symptoms that don’t seem serious. Carter Robert’s parents were under the assumption that their three year old son had simply acquired a slight cold until they realized his motor control was quickly deteriorating, where he was soon paralyzed from the neck down. Doctor diagnosed him with Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM), a rare polio-like disease which targets children. Sadly, Carter lost his battle with AFM, but his death, along with a rise of cases this year, has encouraged the CDC to conduct AFM research.

Although Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM) is rare, it is an extremely serious condition. It affects the nervous system, specifically gray matter in the spinal cord, which is vital for sensory perception and motor control. AFM is not caused by the poliovirus, but it is being compared heavily to polio because of its paralzying affect, its tendency to affect children, and it being considered an enterovirus – the same virus family as polio. The CDC has began a thorough investigation of AFM after witnessing over 100 confirmed cases in 2018, almost triple the 33 confirmed cases in 2017.

Currently, there is no cure or vaccine for AFM and there is limited research regarding the disease. As of November 8th, the CDC has released the current, but limited, knowledge they have obtained.  Over 90% of patients with AFM reported experiencing a mild respiratory illness or fever prior to developing AFM and over 90% of AFM cases are associated with children. The CDC has yet to find the pathogen, which would most likely be found in the fluid surrounding the spinal cord.

It is unclear as to why this disease affects some and not others. This phenomenon was witnessed with Adam and Bridget Spoerri. The newlyweds had both returned from their honeymoon with a cold. Although Bridget got better, within a week, Adam showed signs of paralysis and breathing troubles. Adam was soon diagnosed with AFM, one of the few adult cases ever recorded. His case made doctors question why only he contracted the disease, even though his wife and he both originally contracted a cold.

The only steps the CDC can take is to continue research and inform the public. Parents are advised to vaccinate their children from the poliovirus, due to AFM being so closely associated, although the vaccine does not protect against specific pathogens causing AFM. Steps to prevention include having better personal hygiene, disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, and avoiding those who are sick. Although there is limited research and no current cure for AFM, it is important to stay informed and recognize when feeling tired is more than part of a common cold.