How do you die from polio?

Poliovirus attacks the nervous system and causes paralysis, most often in the limbs. When poliovirus enters the central nervous system, it can reach the brain and spinal cord, infecting motor neurons, the nerve cells that control muscles. The loss of motor neurons leads to muscle weakness and paralysis, which can become life-threatening if it involves the muscles used for breathing. People with severe cases of polio may also experience respiratory failure, requiring mechanical ventilation.

Paralysis from polio may persist for weeks to months, and some people may suffer from permanent disabilities, including muscle weakness, residual paralysis, and deformities. Polio can also cause post-polio syndrome, a group of symptoms that can develop years or decades after the initial infection, including muscle weakness, fatigue, pain, and difficulty swallowing.

In the past, before the introduction of polio vaccines, polio caused millions of cases of paralysis and death worldwide. Although the disease has been largely eliminated through vaccination, it remains a threat in some parts of the world.