What is polio? What are the symptoms of polio? How to treat
Polio is a highly contagious and dangerous disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. Polio is mainly seen in children under 5 years of age. So, what is polio? What are the symptoms of polio? How is polio treated? Here are the details ...
Polio is a highly contagious and dangerous disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. Polio is mainly seen in children under 5 years of age. So, what is polio? What are the symptoms of polio? How is polio treated? Here are the details ...
How is polio transmitted?
Polio virus (Poliovirus) only infects people. It is highly contagious and spreads from person to person. The virus lives in the throat and intestines of an infected person. It enters the body through the mouth and spreads through contact with the faeces of an infected person and, although less common, through sneezing or coughing droplets that spread to the life. If your hand is infected with stool and touch your mouth, you may get poliovirus. You may also become infected when you bring objects such as stool-contaminated toys into your mouth.
An infected person can transmit the virus to others just before symptoms appear or about 1-2 weeks later. The virus can survive for several weeks in the faeces of an infected person. People without symptoms are likely to infect others and make them sick.
What are the symptoms of polio?
It is estimated that 95 to 99 percent of those suffering from polio virus are asymptomatic. This is known as subclinical polio. Even if there are no symptoms, people infected with poliovirus can continue to spread the virus and cause infection in others.
- Non-paralytic polio
Signs and symptoms of non-paralytic polio may last from one to 10 days. These signs and symptoms may be flu-like and may include:
- Fire
- Throat ache
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Tiredness
- Meningitis, (infection of the membranes surrounding the brain)
- Back and neck pain
- Arm and leg stiffness
- Muscle sensitivity and spasms
Non-paralytic polio is also known as low polio.
- Paralytic polio
About 1 percent of polio cases can develop as paralytic polio. Paralytic polio causes paralysis in the spinal cord (spinal polio), the brain stem (bulbar polio), or both (bulbospinal polio).
Initial symptoms are similar to non-paralytic polio. But after a week, more severe symptoms will appear. These symptoms include:
- Reflex loss
- Severe spasms and muscle pain
- Loose and flaccid limbs (sometimes only on one side of the body)
- Sudden paralysis, (temporary or permanent)
- Deformed limbs, especially buttocks, ankles and feet
Complete paralysis is rare (less than 1 percent). All polio cases will result in permanent paralysis. In 5-10% of polio cases, the virus will attack the muscles that cause you to breathe and die.
- Polio syndrome (PPS)
It is possible that polio may return even after recovery. This can occur after 15 to 40 years. Common symptoms of polio syndrome (PPS) are:
- Ongoing muscle and joint weakness
- Worsening muscle pain
- Easily be exhausted or tired
- Muscle loss (also called muscle atrophy)
- Difficulty breathing and swallowing
- Sleep apnea or sleep related breathing problems
- Low tolerance to cold and heat
- Beginning of new weakness in previously underdeveloped muscles
- Depression
- Concentration and memory problems
If you have had polio and are starting to see these symptoms, be sure to consult your doctor.
How is polio treated?
There is no cure. Only supportive treatment can be applied for symptoms. The most common supportive therapies are:
- Bed rest
- Pain relievers
- Antispasmodic drugs to relax muscles
- Antibiotics for urinary tract infections
- Portable ventilators for respiratory aid
- Physical therapy or corrective braces to help walk
- Heating pads or warm towels to alleviate muscle aches and spasms
- Physical therapy for the treatment of pain in the affected muscles
- Physical therapy for respiratory and pulmonary problems
- Pulmonary rehabilitation to improve lung resilience
In cases of advanced leg weakness, you may need a wheelchair or other mobility device.
Vaccine
There are two types of vaccines to fight polio. These:
- Inactivated polyovirus (IPV)
- oral polio vaccine (OPV)
IPV consists of a series of injections starting 2 months after birth and continuing until the child is 4 to 6 years old. The vaccine is made of inactive polyoviruses. It is very safe and effective and its protection is 95%.
OPV is formed from a form of attenuated polyovirus. It is easy to apply and provides excellent immunity. Its protection is 90-95%. However, in very rare cases, OPV is known to return to a dangerous form of polyovirus that may cause paralysis.
Polio vaccination or support is highly recommended to anyone who has not been vaccinated or is not sure whether or not they have been vaccinated.
35AXX
DDZ 10Pcs/Bag Slimming Patches Navel Stick Weight Losing Fat Burning Patch Pad Adhesive Sheet
