“A Crippling, Polio-like Illness is Sickening Children in the Midwest”

It’s called “acute flaccid myelitis” (AFM) in medical literature. It’s a technical term for a virus that starts out like the common cold but evolves into polio-like symptoms affecting the spinal cords of children.

Often misdiagnosed in ER’s as viral meningitis, the illness presents itself with symptoms such as a headache, fever, and a stiff neck. Over a period of days, patients begin to experience paralysis in a limb, such as the loss of use of an arm. Other symptoms include drooping in the face or eyelids and difficulty swallowing.

So far, 10 cases of AFM have been recently diagnosed in the Chicago area, six cases in Minnesota, and at least one case in Colorado. The children have ranged in ages from two to 13-years-old.

While AFM is not completely understood by scientists, it is not believed to be contagious. Rather, some children will develop AFM from a common virus while others won’t.

What do you think? “KNOW THE NOLA!” Be sure to like, comment & share! Like on Facebook & Follow on Twitter @thenolatabloid