Poliomyelitis is a disease caused by polovirus. It causes mild or no symptoms in most persons, but in some people, it can cause paralysis or death. There are 3 variations of poliovirus, called mild polovirus type 1,2 and 3 (WPV 1, WPV 2 and WPV3). Wild polio types 2 and 3 do not exists, while type 1 only exists in a few parts of the world. Polio type 1 potentially causes paralysis.
Polio can affect the body differently which depends on where the virus multilpies and attacks. The virus gets into the body through the mouth or nose and reproduces in the throat and intestines (abortive poliomyelitis). In some cases, it gets into the brain and spinal cord and causes paralysis (paralytic and polioencephalitis). Paralysis can affect the arms, legs or the muscles that control breathing.
Types of polio include;
• Abortive poliomyelitis
• Non-paralytic poliomyelitis
• Paralytic poliomyelitis
• Polioencephalitis
• Post-polio syndrome
Is Polio still alive today?
Yes. There are yet, cases of polio in some parts of the world today. While the number of persons affected has been greatly reduced, international efforts to eradicate polio are still ongoing.
In Nigeria, WHO has announced that polio is no longer endemic but continuous efforts must be made to keep Africa polio-free and the world at large
Presently, the wild poliovirus is endemic in two countries: Pakistan and Afghanistan
Symptoms
Between 70-95% of persons infected with poliovirus don’t have symptoms. Of those with symptoms, most persons have the mildest form (abortive poliomyelitis) with flu-like and intestinal symptoms such as fever, headache, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation.
Paralytic polio causes the most serious symptoms- muscle spasms, sensitivity to touch, severe headache, photophobia, and including paralysis
Those at risk of getting polio includes;
• Persons not vaccinated
• Persons living in or travelling to an area where polio hasn’t been eliminated
• Persons living in or travelling to an area with poor sanitation
• Children under 5years
• Pregnant women
Is Polio Contagious?
Yes. It is highly contagious as it spreads easily from person to person through coughing or sneezing or from coming in contact with feaces of an infected person or drinking contaminated water or touching contaminated surfaces.
Treatment
There are no specific medications to treat polio. If your child has paralytic polio, he/she will receive physical therapy. If the breathing muscles are weakened or paralysed, mechanic ventilation that helps the breathing would be applied.
You might be able to improve your child’s symptoms by;
• Drinking fluids
• Using heat packs to help relieve the muscle aches
• Giving pain relievers such as ibuprofen
• Doing physical therapy and any exercise recommended by your health provider
• Getting plenty of rest
Prevention
The best prevention is to get vaccinated. Vaccination is usually done in childhood.
Your healthcare provider might recommend that you get a booster dose of polio vaccine as an adult or get vaccinated if you’ve never been vaccinated before and are;
• Planning to travel to certain parts of the world where polio still exists
• Working in a lab where you might come into contact with poliovirus
• Working with patients who maybe exposed to poliovirus
Recommended Polio Vaccination Schedule
Healthcare officials do recommend four polio shots in childhood
• First shot at 2months old
• Second shot at 4months old
• Third shot between 6 & 15months old
• Booster shot between 4 & 6years old
If you’ve never been vaccinated for polio and it’s advised that you get vaccinated as an adult, you’ll get 3 shots
• Two doses one to 2months apart
• A third dose six to 12months after the second
Can Polio Come Back?
Yes. Polio symptoms reoccur back years later as post-polio syndrome.
This is when symptoms of polio come back years after you’ve recovered from polio. It can happen 15-40years after the first infection.
It tends to cause symptoms in muscles that were previously affected by polio.
About 40% of persons who previously had polio will have some symptoms come back.
Dr. Favvy
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