P is for Poliomyelitis
Most people who get infected with poliovirus (about 72 out of 100) will not have any visible symptoms. About 1 out of 4 people with poliovirus infection will have flu-like symptoms that may include:
- Sore throat
- Fever
- Tiredness
- Nausea
- Headache
- Stomach pain
These symptoms usually last 2 to 5 days, then go away on their own. A smaller proportion of people with poliovirus infection will develop other, more serious symptoms that affect the brain and spinal cord:
- Paresthesia (feeling of pins and needles in the legs)
- Meningitis (infection of the covering of the spinal cord and/or brain) occurs in about 1 out of 25 people with poliovirus infection
- Paralysis (can’t move parts of the body) or weakness in the arms, legs, or both, occurs in about 1 out of 200 people with poliovirus infection
Paralysis is the most severe symptom associated with polio, because it can lead to permanent disability and death. Between 2 and 10 out of 100 people who have paralysis from poliovirus infection die, because the virus affects the muscles that help them breathe. Even children who seem to fully recover can develop new muscle pain, weakness, or paralysis as adults, 15 to 40 years later. This is called post polio syndrome.
The A-B-C-Disease Series is located along the White/Blue Trail of The City of Middletown’s Reservoir Trails. This section is situated between two parking areas so if you plan carefully, with two cars you only have to hike one way (approximately 1.2 miles). The terrain difficulty of the trail ranges from a 2.0 to about a 4.0. and offers some scenic areas to visit. All of the containers for the series are Pill Bottles to go with the theme.
The City of Middletown, working with The Trust for Public Land, has opened up its 1,250-acre watershed for public access and has developed plans to turn it into a vibrant community public space.
About The Reservoir Trails ...
Just minutes from downtown Middletown, you can experience a nearby wilderness as you walk, run, or bike on over eight and a half miles of woods roads and trails. Visitors take-in stunning views of Monhagen Reservoir, Highland Reservoir, and Shawangunk Reservoir, which have provided clean drinking water to local residents since the 1860s. This forested watershed includes century-old stands of white pines that create a shady and peaceful retreat. During your visit you may see deer, foxes, and maybe even a black bear!