How Do You Diagnose Polio?

How do you diagnose polio? In order to make a polio diagnosis, the doctor will ask the patient for a medical history and perform a physical exam to look for signs and symptoms of polio. The doctor will also order certain tests before making a polio diagnosis. These tests will look for the virus or antibodies the body has made against the poliovirus. In order to perform these polio tests, a stool sample or a throat swab may be taken.

 

How Do You Diagnose Polio? -- An Overview

In order to make a polio diagnosis, the doctor will ask a number of questions about your:
 
  • Symptoms
  • Current medical conditions
  • Current medications
  • Family history of medical conditions.
 
The doctor will also perform a physical exam to look for signs and symptoms of polio.
 

How Do You Diagnose Polio? -- Tests

In order to make a polio diagnosis, the doctor will order certain tests that will look for the virus or antibodies the body has made against the poliovirus. In order to perform these polio tests, a stool sample or a throat swab may be taken.
 

How Do You Diagnose Polio? -- Diagnosing Polio or Other Medical Conditions

There are many diseases and conditions that have symptoms similar to those of polio. These include:
 
 
The doctor will consider these conditions before making a polio diagnosis.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD