bulbar polio

Bulbar polio is a severe form of poliomyelitis, a contagious viral disease caused by the poliovirus. The virus primarily spreads through contaminated food, water, or close contact. While many polio infections cause mild or no symptoms, bulbar polio occurs when the virus attacks the brainstem, specifically the medulla oblongata. This damage impairs the nerve centers controlling swallowing and talking. Symptoms can include difficulty speaking, choking, and an inability to clear the airway of secretions, potentially leading to suffocation. Approximately 5 to 10 percent of individuals with paralytic polio, including bulbar polio, die, often from respiratory complications.123