Polio

Also known as poliomyelitis, polio is a highly contagious disease caused by one of three related viruses (abortive polio, aseptic meningitis, and paralytic polio). This infectious disease can lead to paralysis or even death.

Once a person has been exposed to polio, it will usually take 3 to 5 days for the symptoms to appear. In about 95% of cases, infection from the virus will cause no symptoms or serious effects. However, in about 5% of cases, the virus manifests in a mild form with flu-like symptoms (abortive polio), in a non-paralytic form (aseptic meningitis), or in a severe form called paralytic polio. Those with mild or non-paralytic forms recover completely.

Polio is caused by a virus that lives in the throat and intestinal tract. It can be spread in several ways. People who have not been immunized or have a weakened immune system are at risk. In developing nations, the polio virus is spread by eating food or drinking water contaminated by the virus. It can also be contracted through direct contact with infected stool or throat secretions.

Symptoms:
Not everyone will experience all the symptoms, which vary according to the type of polio one has. In mild polio the symptoms are:

• Headache
• Nausea/vomiting
• General discomfort or slight fever for up to three days.

In non-paralytic polio, the symptoms are similar to mild polio with the addition of:

• Moderate fever
• Stiff neck and back
• Fatigue
• Muscle pain

Individuals with paralytic polio will experience:

• Tremors
• Muscle weakness
• Fever
• Stiffness
• Constipation
• Muscle pain and spasms
• Difficulty swallowing

This form of polio is the most serious of the three because it causes paralysis. Here, the polio virus invades the central nervous system. It begins like mild polio; however, it usually causes severe muscle pain in addition to the other symptoms. Paralysis usually happens within the first week. The individual may lose the ability to use one or both legs, arms, and may not be able to breathe without the help of a machine. Recovery varies from person to person, but those who are paralyzed will have some weakness in an arm or leg for the rest of their lives.

Treatment and Prevention:
Polio can be prevented through the use of a vaccine. All children between six weeks and 18 years should be vaccinated, as part of their complete vaccination schedule.

A large number of polio survivors are affected by what is known as Post Polio Syndrome. It is not a reoccurrence of the virus, but you may be experiencing late effects. It can appear any time and is frequently triggered by a trauma such as surgery, death in the family, emotional upheaval, or an accident.

Symptoms of Post Polio Syndrome include:

• Unaccustomed fatigue
• New weakness in muscles
• Pain in muscles or joints
• Breathing difficulties
• Problems swallowing
• Breathing difficulties
• Problems swallowing
• Depression
• Muscle spasms
• Sleep problems
• Anxiety
• Weakness and muscle atrophy

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