Poliomyelitis: meaning, definitions and examples

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poliomyelitis

 

[ ˌpɒliˌoʊmaɪˈɛlɪtɪs ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

medical condition

Poliomyelitis, commonly known as polio, is a highly infectious viral disease that primarily affects children, leading to paralysis or even death. It is caused by the poliovirus, which can invade the nervous system and lead to muscle weakness and acute flaccid paralysis. The disease can be prevented through vaccination.

Synonyms

infantile paralysis, polio

Examples of usage

  • The re-emergence of poliomyelitis in some regions is a major public health concern.
  • Vaccination campaigns have significantly reduced the incidence of poliomyelitis worldwide.
  • Children are usually vaccinated against poliomyelitis at an early age.
  • Poliomyelitis can lead to lifelong disabilities in survivors.

Translations

Translations of the word "poliomyelitis" in other languages:

🇵🇹 poliomielite

🇮🇳 पोलियोमाइलाइटिस

🇩🇪 Poliomyelitis

🇮🇩 poliomielitis

🇺🇦 поліомієліт

🇵🇱 poliomyelitis

🇯🇵 ポリオ

🇫🇷 poliomyélite

🇪🇸 poliomielitis

🇹🇷 poliomiyelit

🇰🇷 폴리오

🇸🇦 شلل الأطفال

🇨🇿 poliomyelitida

🇸🇰 poliomyelitída

🇨🇳 小儿麻痹症

🇸🇮 poliomielitis

🇮🇸 pólíó

🇰🇿 полиомиелит

🇬🇪 პოლიომიერიტი

🇦🇿 poliomielit

🇲🇽 poliomielitis

Etymology

The term 'poliomyelitis' originates from the Greek words 'polios' meaning 'grey' (referring to the grey matter of the spinal cord), 'myelos' meaning 'marrow' or 'spinal cord', and the suffix '-itis' indicating inflammation. The condition was first identified in the 19th century, but it has been known for centuries through sporadic outbreaks. The most significant outbreaks began in the early 20th century, particularly in the United States and Europe, where it caused widespread concern and panic due to the severe cases that led to paralysis. The development of effective vaccines by Jonas Salk and Albert Sabin in the 1950s and 1960s drastically reduced the incidence of poliomyelitis, leading to major public health initiatives aimed at global eradication. Despite these efforts, polio continues to be a public health issue in some countries, making vaccination and awareness crucial.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,829, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.