polio
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A Virus That Can Cause Polio-Like Paralysis in Children Has Returned
A virus that can rarely cause a polio-like paralysis in children has resurfaced in the U.S. after mostly disappearing during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reports that it has spotted a surge of cases linked to enterovirus D-68. Based on recent past outbreaks, officials expect that a small percentage of…
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Clue to Mysterious Polio-Like Illness Found in Autopsy of Child Who Died in 2008
Evidence from the tragic death of a 5-year-old boy in 2008 may finally settle the debate over a mysterious polio-like condition that’s been paralyzing children for years. Researchers this week say they’ve found clear traces of enterovirus D68 in the nerve cells of the child, who likely died from acute flaccid myelitis. Many scientists have…
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Scientists Want to Test Existing Polio Vaccine Against Coronavirus
A group of scientists have a striking proposal for keeping people safe from covid-19. In a new paper published Thursday, they argue that we can use existing vaccines like the oral polio vaccine to provide some degree of temporary immunity against the coronavirus.
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The Last Of The Iron Lungs
Martha Lillard spends half of every day with her body encapsulated in a half-century old machine that forces her to breathe. Only her head sticks out of the end of the antique iron lung. On the other end, a motorised lever pulls the leather bellows, creating negative pressure that induces her lungs to suck in…