What part of the nervous system is affected by poliomyelitis?

Poliomyelitis primarily affects the central nervous system, specifically the spinal cord and brain. The virus enters the body through the mouth and multiplies in the throat and intestines. In most cases, it causes only a mild illness. However, in some cases, the virus can invade the nervous system and cause paralysis. The virus damages nerve cells in the spinal cord, causing weakness or paralysis in the muscles that those nerves control. In severe cases, poliomyelitis can lead to permanent paralysis and even death.