What are the potential complications of Polio?

Polio can lead to muscle paralysis that results in deformities of the hips, ankles, and feet. Although many of the deformities can be corrected with surgery and physical therapy, these treatments often aren’t available options in the developing countries where polio still exists.

Other complications associated with the prolonged hospital stay as a result of the paralysis caused by polio infection involve the lungs, kidneys, and heart:

• Pulmonary edema—A potentially life-threatening condition that fills the lungs with fluid and prevents them from absorbing oxygen
• Aspiration pneumonia—An inflammation of the lungs that is caused by inhaling stomach contents into the lungs
• Urinary tract infections—Bacterial infections that can permanently damage the kidneys if not treated promptly
• Kidney stones—Usually form when urine becomes too concentrated; they may cause ongoing urinary tract infections or kidney damage
• Intestinal obstruction—A partial or complete blockage of the bowel that prevents
  food from moving through the intestinal tract; severe obstructions can lead to potentially life-threatening complications
• Myocarditis—An inflammation of the thick muscular layer of the heart that can
  lead to chest pain, an abnormal heartbeat, or congestive heart failure; it can also cause blood clots to form, which greatly increases the risk of stroke
• Cor pulmonale—A heart condition that occurs when the right side of the heart
  can’t pump hard enough to compensate for prolonged high blood pressure in the arteries and veins in the lungs