Which of the following is a common symptom of poliomyelitis?

Muscle atrophy is a common symptom of poliomyelitis due to the disease's impact on the nervous system. Poliomyelitis, often referred to as polio, is caused by the poliovirus, which primarily affects the motor neurons in the spinal cord. As the virus damages or destroys these neurons, it leads to muscle weakness and atrophy because the nerves can no longer effectively stimulate muscle contractions. Over time, this results in a significant reduction in muscle mass and strength, which can manifest as visible muscle wasting.

The other symptoms mentioned, such as skin rash, joint swelling, and headaches, are not characteristic of poliomyelitis. Skin rashes are more commonly associated with viral infections like measles or chickenpox, while joint swelling can occur due to various conditions, including arthritis. Headaches might accompany many forms of viral infection but are not specifically indicative of polio. Therefore, muscle atrophy stands out as the defining symptom of this disease, highlighting the profound implications of polio on muscular health as a result of neural impairment.