Symptoms and Treatment of Polio
Polio is an illness that is caused by a virus, which is passed from one person to another. However, there are some complications that are associated with this illness. It is important to know the symptoms and treatment options of polio.
Symptoms
Symptoms of polio include muscle weakness, breathing problems, and swallowing difficulties. Depending on the site of the infection, the symptom severity can range from mild to severe. The polio virus is transmitted by contact with contaminated food or water, through sneezing or coughing, or by touching a surface that has been contaminated.
The most severe type of polio, known as flaccid paralysis, can lead to paralysis of all or part of one side of the body. This occurs in less than one percent of cases but is still an extremely serious complication. The disease affects the muscles and is caused by the breakdown of motor neurons in the spinal cord. The length of time the symptom lasts depends on the number of nerve cells that are damaged.
A person who has this condition may need a mechanical ventilator, which moves air in and out of the lungs. The person may also be wheelchair-bound. If the patient has been vaccinated, they will receive medicine to treat the pain.
The polio virus is very contagious. Infected people can have the virus in their poop for up to six weeks. A healthcare provider can find the virus by testing stool, blood, and spinal fluid. The doctor should also be alert for polio in an unvaccinated child or adult. They should also consider it in the differential diagnosis of recent fever, gastrointestinal illness, or sudden limb weakness.
Usually, the symptoms of polio will go away after a few weeks. If a person has a more severe form of polio, they will need to be hospitalized. A person can also get irritability and a stiff neck. If a person is diagnosed with polio, they will be given physical therapy to keep their muscles moving. The treatment will not cure the virus, but it will help ease the symptoms.
The main risk factor for polio is a weakened immune system. Anyone can get infected, including pregnant women and children under the age of five. This is why it is important to have the polio vaccine, especially if you are traveling to countries with a high risk of polio.
Diagnosis
Polo is a highly contagious disease and is most likely spread through contact with contaminated surfaces or food. Polio can be mild or severe, and there are many different types of polio.
The most serious form of polio is called paralytic polio and can cause paralysis on one or both sides within a few hours. It is caused by an enterovirus that infects the spinal cord. The virus spreads through feces, hands, throat secretions, and water. Symptoms may include fever, aching muscles, and pain in the head or torso.
Another form of polio is called abortive polio and occurs in infants. The abortive type of polio does not reach the central nervous system (CNS) and does not produce paralysis. It is usually well tolerated.
Another polio type is called a post-polio syndrome, and it can cause new muscle weakness. This condition can also be similar to chronic fatigue syndrome or arthritis. Typically, a diagnosis of post-polio syndrome requires a previous diagnosis of polio. This is based on the medical history of the patient and the exclusion of other diseases.
The best way to prevent polio is to receive a polio vaccination. It is usually given in childhood, and there are several vaccinations available. The vaccine is given over the course of three injections, spaced four weeks apart.
The vaccine is effective, but it cannot completely prevent a person from contracting polio. It is recommended that the person receive a booster shot between four and six years old. If the person is traveling to certain countries, they might need to show proof of a vaccine.
The most common polio symptoms are mild. People are often sick for a few days and then recover. However, some people are left with permanent muscle weakness. There is no cure for polio, but there are treatments for the disease. These include rest and drugs to lower the fever. Some medications are also used to help with muscle aches.
The last case of vaccine-derived polio was reported in 2022. Since then, there have been no cases of polio in the U.S. It may be that poor sanitation has been the cause of the recent polio outbreak.
Treatment
Polio is a disease caused by a virus. It causes symptoms that can include flu-like illnesses, paralysis, and permanent disability. The disease can affect anyone, especially children, who has a weak immune system. Vaccination is one way to avoid polio. However, there is no cure for the disease.
If you think you may have polio, your health care provider can diagnose the illness. They will ask you questions and collect samples of your body fluids, including blood and spinal fluid. These samples are sent to a laboratory for testing. You will be diagnosed based on your medical history and the results of the test. If you are suspected of having polio, you should seek hospitalization right away.
Depending on the severity of your symptoms, your health care provider will prescribe medicines to ease pain and help with movement. You may also be given physical therapy. This can improve your muscle strength and help relieve muscle aches. You can also use heat packs to help alleviate muscle pain.
Your healthcare provider will also check your spinal cord to make sure that you are not infected with the polio virus. Your provider might use an MRI to look at the spinal cord. You may have to undergo mechanical ventilation to help you breathe. This can be a life-saving treatment.
You can also receive therapy to help you recover from the effects of polio. This can improve your mobility and help you prevent deformities. Occupational therapy can also be beneficial for patients with leg weakness and can provide long-term support.
Post-polio syndrome is another risk. This condition occurs years after the recovery from polio and can cause weakness in late adulthood. This can also interfere with daily life. Those who have experienced polio in the past should inform their treating clinicians of their polio history. This is to prevent the onset of the disease later in life.
There are two types of vaccines used in the fight against polio. These are the oral polio vaccine and the Sabin vaccine. The vaccine is typically given in childhood. The oral vaccine is easier to give and is less expensive.
Complications
Having a polio infection can be a serious illness. It is a viral disease that can damage nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. The resulting symptoms can vary from a mild case of flu-like symptoms to life-threatening paralysis. The polio virus is spread through saliva, feces, and contaminated water.
The most common forms of polio are bulbar and spinal. These forms of the disease affect the nerves of the brain and spinal cord, causing breathing problems and musculoskeletal deformities. They can also lead to depression.
Some people are left permanently paralyzed. A person who has been infected with polio will not feel any symptoms until after the virus has settled. This is called post-polio syndrome (PPS).
A person who has PPS can be at high risk for developing other disorders. They may need long-term treatment or support. They can also have a lot of emotional stress related to their past experiences with polio. They can join a support group to help them deal with this.
In a small number of cases, polio can cause non-paralytic poliomyelitis. This type of polio can be life-threatening since it can damage the respiratory muscles and lead to respiratory failure. It can also cause neck stiffness and fever.
A person who has nonparalytic poliomyelitis will have permanent muscle weakness and may need hospitalization. Some patients have a high mortality rate.
Paralytic poliomyelitis is a severe form of polio that causes the body to become paralyzed. The infection can lead to depression and other serious complications. It is estimated that about one in 200 polio cases develops paralysis.
People who have had polio in the past are at an increased risk of re-infecting themselves with the virus. This is because they may have antibodies against the polio virus. However, the polio virus can also circulate in the blood. If someone has a history of polio, they may need a booster vaccine.
Several types of treatment can help lower the risk of long-term complications. They include physical therapy, tailored orthoses, and aquatic therapy. Exercise is also helpful, but exercise should not cause pain or excessive tiredness.
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