Picornic Viral Myelitis
The Weakness Disease
Picornic Viral Myelitis (/pɪ-ˈkɔː(r)-nɪk ˈvaɪ-rəl mī-ə-ˈlī-təs/), also known as Galarlaige (/ˈɡɔː-lə(r)-ˈlɪɡ-ə/) and informally as the Weakness, is an infectious disease caused by the Picornavirus. The virus is extremely contagious, and in approximately 5% of cases causes severe muscle weakness resulting in physical paralysis, which can be permanent.
The disease most often attacks the legs, but can also affect the muscles of the arms, neck and in severe cases the diaphragm. Symptoms can begin to appear in as little as a few hours after infection, but the incubation period has also been known to extend for as much as a week.
Up to 75 percent of infected people suffer only mild grimfliu-like symptoms, with some exhibiting no symptoms at all. Most people fully recover from the infection, but for about 40 to 50 percent of adults who suffer paralysis the condition is ultimately fatal.
In about 40 percent of cases, a condition known as post-galarlaige syndrome can develop many years after recovery. In such cases, the patient slowly develops symptoms similar to those suffered during the initial infection. In most of these cases, the newly developed symptoms are permanent.
The disease is commonly spread from person to person through fecal contamination, and less frequently through contaminated saliva. Carriers have been known to be contagious for as long as ten weeks in extreme cases.
The disease most often attacks the legs, but can also affect the muscles of the arms, neck and in severe cases the diaphragm. Symptoms can begin to appear in as little as a few hours after infection, but the incubation period has also been known to extend for as much as a week.
Up to 75 percent of infected people suffer only mild grimfliu-like symptoms, with some exhibiting no symptoms at all. Most people fully recover from the infection, but for about 40 to 50 percent of adults who suffer paralysis the condition is ultimately fatal.
In about 40 percent of cases, a condition known as post-galarlaige syndrome can develop many years after recovery. In such cases, the patient slowly develops symptoms similar to those suffered during the initial infection. In most of these cases, the newly developed symptoms are permanent.
The disease is commonly spread from person to person through fecal contamination, and less frequently through contaminated saliva. Carriers have been known to be contagious for as long as ten weeks in extreme cases.
History
Evidence of the condition has been depicted in ancient art, indicating its existence in human populations for thousands of years. It was first identified in 1777 by Érevish physician Ardal Foy (1736 - 1820), and the Picornavirus was isolated in 1911 by Velandrian immunologist Hugo Périgord (1868 - 1943).
Major outbreaks of the disease have become increasingly common in both Heberia and Heremonia since the mid-nineteenth century, resulting in increased research funding in hopes of discovering an effective vaccine for the Picornavirus.
Treatment
There is no vaccine or cure for Galarlaige. Current treatments focus on relieving symptoms and speeding recovery where possible. In extreme cases, where the virus attacks the diaphragm making it impossible for the patient to breath without assistance, permanent continuous negative pressure ventilation (Iron Lung) treatment is the state of the art, with most such cases resulting ultimately in death.
However, four years ago in 1981 Dr. Hammond McDowell of the Drumlane University Medical School announced breakthrough research focusing upon the antibodies contained in the blood plasma of Galarlaige survivors, specifically in the gamma globulin. A large clinical trial showed the gamma globulin to be 80% effective in preventing development of the disease in patients participating in the study, and also dramatically reducing the incidents of paralysis in those patients who did contract the virus.
Current research on this promising new treatment is focused upon developing techniques to increase the amount of gamma globulin serum that can be produced from the limited supply of post-infection blood plasma available.
Galarlaige
Other Names:
Picornic Viral Myelitis,
the Weakness
the Weakness
Picornavirus Cluster
Medical Specialties:
Neurology, Infectious Diseases
Symptoms:
Muscle Weakness, Paralysis
Complications:
Post-Galarlaige Syndrome
Usual Onset:
Few Hours to Several Days
Causes:
Picornavirus spread by Fecal Contamination
Diagnostic Method:
Finding Virus in the Feces
or Antibodies in the Blood
or Antibodies in the Blood
Prevention:
Gamma Globulin Serum
Treatment:
Supportive Care
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