Poliomyelitis comes from the Greek polios, meaning “gray,” myelos referring to the spinal cord, and the suffix -itis means inflammation.  But on the streets, we just call it “polio.”  90% of people who contract the polio virus show absolutely no symptoms at all.  An unfortunate 1% will have their central nervous system affected and their motor neurons destroyed.  These people will feel extreme weakness, tiredness, pain in arms and legs, and neck stiffness.  Today after two grueling swim practices, WebMD told me that I have polio.