Polio, or poliomyelitis, is a contagious viral disease caused by the poliovirus, which spreads primarily through contaminated food, water, or close contact with an infected person. While many infections cause mild or no symptoms, such as fever or fatigue, the virus can in some cases invade the nervous system, damaging motor neurons and leading to muscle weakness or paralysis. In severe instances, it can affect breathing and become life-threatening. Widespread vaccination has eliminated polio from most parts of the world.
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