Polio, also referred to as poliomyelitis, is a debilitating and potentially fatal ailment attributed to the poliovirus. This virus is transmitted through person-to-person contact and has the capacity to invade an individual's spinal cord, resulting in paralysis, which impedes the affected person's ability to move specific body parts.
Symptoms
- Asymptomatic Infection: The majority of poliovirus infections, approximately 75%, manifest without any discernible symptoms.
- Mild Clinical Presentation: Roughly 25% of individuals infected experience mild, flu-like symptoms, characterized by a sore throat, fever, fatigue, nausea, headache, and abdominal discomfort. These symptoms typically self-resolve within a span of 2 to 5 days.
- Severe Neurological Effects: In a subset of cases, the virus can precipitate more profound neurological involvement. This includes the development of meningitis, an inflammatory infection of the spinal cord and brain coverings, occurring in approximately 1–5% of those infected, with incidence contingent upon the virus type. Furthermore, paralysis, resulting in the loss of motor function in specific body parts, such as limbs, may ensue. The likelihood of paralysis varies, affecting about 1 in 200 to 1 in 2000 individuals, depending on the virus type. Paralysis is particularly grave, as it can culminate in permanent disability and, in some instances, fatality. Notably, between 2 and 10% of individuals experiencing poliovirus-induced paralysis may succumb, as the virus disrupts the muscles crucial for respiratory function.
Furthermore, even individuals ostensibly recovering fully from the initial infection may encounter muscle pain, weakness, or paralysis in adulthood, typically emerging 15 to 40 years later. This phenomenon is termed post-polio syndrome.
It is imperative to delineate that "poliomyelitis" or "polio" strictly designates the paralytic expression of the ailment, hence reserving this classification solely for those afflicted with paralysis consequent to the infection. Vaccination serves as a pivotal preventive measure against polio.
Polio has ancient origins, as depicted in an Egyptian tomb painting showing a man with a withered leg, indicating muscle damage that remains permanent.
In later life, individuals who had polio as children or young adults and regained some strength in weakened limbs may experience a condition called post-polio syndrome (PPS). PPS can weaken previously affected muscles, potentially leading to wheelchair dependence, even if they were once athletic.
Poliovirus is highly contagious, spreading through person-to-person contact. It resides in an infected person's throat and intestines, contaminating food and water in unsanitary conditions. The virus exclusively infects humans, entering through the mouth. Transmission happens via contact with infected feces or, less commonly, through droplets from an infected person's sneeze or cough. Infection can occur by touching your mouth after handling contaminated objects or ingesting items, like toys, tainted with feces.
Polio prevention involves two vaccines:
1. Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine (IPV): Administered by injection in the leg or arm, used in the United States since 2000.
2. Oral Poliovirus Vaccine (OPV): Used in many parts of the world.
These vaccines prepare the body to fight polio. Almost all children who receive recommended IPV doses are protected. Good hand hygiene with soap and water is crucial; alcohol-based hand sanitizers don't kill poliovirus.
How it is Diagnosed
In cases where polio is suspected, healthcare providers should admit the patient to the hospital without delay. A rigorous diagnostic protocol includes a comprehensive physical examination, a detailed medical history encompassing vaccination and travel records, sample collection (comprising stool, throat swab, blood, urine, and spinal fluid), and the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to examine spinal cord images. It is noteworthy that stool specimens are the most likely to yield a poliovirus detection.
Treatment
Paralytic polio lacks a cure, and specific treatments do not exist.
However, physical or occupational therapy can be beneficial in addressing arm or leg weakness resulting from polio. Early implementation of therapy may yield improved long-term outcomes. Healthcare providers may also consider collaborating with neurology and infectious disease specialists to explore potential treatments and recommend interventions on an individual basis.
If you suspect that you or a family member may be experiencing polio symptoms, it is essential to promptly contact your healthcare provider or seek immediate assistance at an emergency room.
By Andrew Anongu, DailyHealth.
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