The images below represent the many aspects of polio, from the poliovirus itself at the molecular level, to immunization and treatment, to recovery and paralysis. Click on a photo below to view a larger image. WARNING: Some of these images may be extremely graphic.
  

Electron micrograph of poliovirus

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Transmission electron micrograph of poliovirus type I. Courtesy of: CDC/Dr. Joseph J. Esposito; F. A. Murphy. Retrieved from: http://phil.cdc.gov/phil/home.asp
 

Nerve cell degeneration

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A photomicrograph of the cervical spinal cord in the region of the anterior horn revealing polio type III degenerative changes. Courtesy of: Courtesy of: CDC/Dr. Karp, Emory University. Retrieved from: http://phil.cdc.gov/phil/home.asp


Polio vaccine line

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Aerial view of a crowd awaiting polio immunization; San Antonio, 1962. Courtesy of: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from: http://www.vaccineinformation.org/polio/photos.asp


Patient in iron lung

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A nurse attends to a boy within an iron lung whose respiratory muscles have been affected by polio. Courtesy of: World Health Organization. Retrieved from: http://www.vaccineinformation.org/polio/photos.asp


Administering OPV vaccine

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A local Indian public health care practitioner administers two drops of the oral polio vaccine (OPV) to a child during a National Immunization Day (NID) in the Uttar Pradesh region of India. After vaccination, a child's fingers are marked with an ink marker to indicate to other health care workers that the child has been vaccinated. Courtesy of: CDC/ Chris Zahniser, B.S.N., R.N., M.P.H. Retrieved from: http://phil.cdc.gov/phil/home.asp


Man with foot deformity

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A young man displays his withered leg and foot deformity typical of polio. Courtesy of: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from: http://www.vaccineinformation.org/polio/photos.asp


Girl with polio deformity

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This girl displays a severely deformed leg due to polio. Courtesy of: World Health Organization. Retrieved from: http://www.vaccineinformation.org/polio/photos.asp


Boys with leg braces

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These two boys must wear leg braces in order to walk after a bout with polio. Courtesy of: World Health Organization. Retrieved from: http://www.vaccineinformation.org/polio/photos.asp


Severe polio deformity

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This boys at the Cheshire Home for Handicapped Children in Menagesha have suffered extreme deformities from the polio virus. Courtesy of: World Health Organization. Retrieved from: http://www.vaccineinformation.org/polio/photos.asp


Children with crutches

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These children in Freetown, Sierra Leone, wear braces and crutches after recovering from polio. Courtesy of: World Health Organization. Retrieved from: http://www.vaccineinformation.org/polio/photos.asp