Poliomyelitis

Polio is an infectious disease caused by the poliovirus. Approximately 0.5% of polio cases have myasthenia gravis resulting in flaccid paralysis, this can occur over a period of a few hours to a few days, most often involving the legs, and less commonly the muscles of the head, neck, and diaphragm.

 
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Symptoms of polio

Signs and symptoms that can last up to 10 days include:

  1. Fever
  2. Sore throat
  3. Headache
  4. Vomiting
  5. Exhaustion
  6. Stiffness or back pain
  7. Stiffness or pain in the neck
  8. Stiffness or pain in the arms or legs
 
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Causes of polio

Polio is a highly contagious virus

The virus spreads by personal contact attacks the nervous system, and within a few hours can cause a person to become paralyzed, which cannot be cured. The poliovirus enters the body through the mouth and multiplies in the intestine, from where it attacks the nervous system and may cause paralysis.

 
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Paralysis syndrome

This serious type of disease rarely occurs. Initial signs and symptoms of paralytic polio. Like fever and headache, signs and symptoms often resemble non-paralytic polio. However, within a week, other signs and symptoms appear, including:

Loss of autonomic reflexes

Severe muscle pain or weakness

Loose and weak limbs (flaccid paralysis)

 
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Post-polio syndrome

The post-polio syndrome refers to a group of signs and symptoms that affect some people years after they have had polio. Common signs and symptoms include:

Weakness and exacerbation of muscle and joint pain

Exhaustion

Muscular atrophy (organ atrophy)

Breathing or urination problems

Sleep disorders related to breathing, such as sleep apnea

Withstand low temperatures

 
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It’s time to see a doctor

Consult your doctor for polio vaccination recommendations before traveling to areas where polio cases still occur naturally, or where oral polio vaccine is used.

 

Your child has not completed the series of vaccinations

Your child has had an allergic reaction to the polio vaccine

Your child has problems other than redness or mild pain where the vaccine was given

I had polio years ago and now I feel weak and tired for no apparent reason

 

Protection

Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent polio

 

Polio treatment

There is no cure for polio. Therefore, the focus is on increasing comfort, speeding up the recovery rate, and preventing complications. Supportive treatments include: Pain relievers Portable ventilators to aid breathing

 
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