Polio

Overview

Polio- a viral infection also referred to as poliomyelitis is the inflammation of grey matter in the spinal cord where the nerves are destructed due to an aggressive virus called poliovirus. Let’s delve deeper into the symptoms, how polio happens and how it affects the body, read to know more.

How our body is targeted?
Since polio attacks the nervous system in the human body, specifically the cells in the spinal cord. Poliovirus targets the body by entering through the mouth. The virus typically finds the easiest route by getting inside the contaminated food, surfaces or water. The moment the virus is ingested, it infects the cells lining the throat and intestines.

During the initial phase, the virus can be shed through the faeces of infected individuals which becomes a prime contributor to spreading the virus. The virus thereafter enters the bloodstream and gets circulated throughout the body reaching various organs and tissues.

Once the poliovirus reaches the central nervous system, it starts causing extreme damage to the motor neuron cells which leads to weakness, paralysis and respiratory failure in some rare cases.

The virus is also dependent on the age of the individual and its inflammation can also cause complications some individuals can go on asymptomatic or may experience mild symptoms but in some severe cases, the symptoms can cause paralysis polio with more severe complications.

Types of Polio

It’s necessary for an individual to know what type of polio he/ she falls under. There are various types of Polio, but the most common type is wild-type polio, and studies suggest that it can become a part of your health at any stage but knowing what type of polio has caught you up is essential. Types of polio include,

Abortive polio: This type of polio is a milder version of poliomyelitis which comes with flu-like symptoms. Major polio cases fall under this category and individuals who come under direct contact with poliovirus will experience symptoms of abortive polio. Symptoms include:

1. Fever
2. Headache
3. Sore throat
4. Nausea
5. Fatigue
6. Muscle stiffness

Paralytic polio: The most severe type of polio which usually occurs in some rare cases. Symptoms progress over time and include

1. Loss of reflexes
2. Deformed limbs
3. Difficulty swallowing
4. Muscle weakness or paralysis
5. Severe muscle pain

Nonparalytic polio: Another severe form of polio affects 1% of total polio-infected individuals. This type of polio doesn’t cause paralysis but has flu-like symptoms. The illness lasts longer than a few days and its symptoms include:

1. Pain and stiffness in neck, trunk
2. Severe headache
3. Stiffness in arms or legs

The determination of the types is necessary for doctors to prescribe suitable medications to the individuals. The customization of the treatments is the right approach and the identification of causes will be the best information for the individuals. The severity of polio must be kept under immediate consideration to provide effective treatment for the betterment of an individual.

Symptoms of Polio

The symptoms vary from person to person, so it’s important to know what your body is indicating, and some common symptoms and signs of polio include

• Headache
• Fever
• Neck pain or stiffness in the spine
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Sore throat
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Stomach aches
• Weak cough
• Stiffness in arms or legs
• Muscle aches
• Abdominal pain
• Intense pain
• Muscle spasms
• Tingling or pricking sensations
• Difficulty swallowing
• Sleep or breathing disorders
• Fatigue
• Progressive joint pain
• Loss of reflexes

It’s essential to make a note that symptoms are not visible in the early stages of polio. Primarily this virus affects children under the age of 5 and the severity of symptoms depends upon some crucial factors such as immune system, age and many more. Polio virus vaccination is considered highly effective and it can reduce the impact of polio on individuals if taken on time.

Causes of Polio

Polio is caused by poliovirus and it directly affects the nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain stem that basically controls the muscle movement. Since, polio lives in throat and intestines, nerve cells controlling the sensations are not affected adversely. It is believed that vaccinated individuals don’t get caught with polio but in some rare cases, polio can affect individuals with proper vaccinations.

People living in geographical areas where access to hygienic water and sanitation are crucially limited are most prone to getting into contact with polio. According to the researchers, the virus is contagious and a person living with an infected individual can catch it too. Individuals with weakened immune systems such as pregnant women, children with developing immune systems, and HIV positive are susceptible to the polio virus.

How does Polio spread?

Polio has a greater tendency to get passed through the droplets from sneezing or coughing or the virus in faeces also called a stool. The virus can be transmitted easily and it can enter another body through the mouth. The virus can be in water contaminated with poliovirus-infected faeces. It is considered extremely important to get immediate treatment to prevent others from coming into direct contact with poliovirus.

Prevention of Polio

Polio can be prevented by having vaccines. Completing polio vaccinations at an early age can eliminate the chances of developing polio. According to the polio vaccination schedule, the polio dosage must be given at the age of:

• 2 months
• 4 months
• 6- 18 months
• 4-6 years

This can help prevent this chronic disease but it comes with certain allergic reactions as well. Many children suffer from mild to severe allergic reactions such as:

• Dizziness
• High fever
• Rapid heart rate
• Skin reaction
• Nausea
• Breathing problem
• Fainting

These symptoms are common but medical intervention must be provided right away if the symptoms get severe.

Tests and Diagnosis for Polio

Doctors can easily detect polio by its symptoms. They’ll conduct a physical examination of the infected individual to reconfirm their detection. The neck or back stiffness is the prime symptom of polio.

Lab tests are also incorporated in the detection of polio. These tests include:

1. Stool sample tests

2. Throat test

3. Cerebrospinal test

It’s essential to note that these tests are considered extremely important to handle and control the virus. Poliovirus is a chronic disease and has to be dealt with with immediate care and intervention. Early detection can not only help in resolving this problem but can also provide the accurate treatment. These tests are conducted to identify the problem or any other potential causes.

Risk Factors

There are many risk factors that can influence the development of polio. Risk factors include:

• The virus gets inside you through your mouth. And mostly the children are affected by polio.
• When a person gets into direct contact with the faeces of polio affected person, maybe getting it on your hand can lead to polio in individuals. Polio can be spread through the contamination of infected faeces in water or food, which is a massive risk factor.
• Lack of vaccination at an early age becomes the potential reason of acquiring polio and it has been observed that polio is present in the poor geographic areas where vaccines aren’t available and hygiene and sanitation is not preferred.
• When an individual breathes the same air as the affected person, it can lead to polio as well. Although it is considered as the less effective way of catching polio, but there’s a possibility that polio can be caught via this factor.

It’s extremely essential for an individual to adopt a healthy lifestyle by making a slight shift in their daily routine. A balanced diet, and regular exercising can reduce the risk of complications in this disease and can even lessen the chances of developing polio. By avoiding the causes of polio, one can lead a better life. Regular medical check-ups can help in monitoring the health and can also help in detecting potential issues.

Treatment for Polio

Since, there is no specific treatment for polio disease, the doctor can recommend some necessary lifestyle changes that must be implemented to keep polio under control. While substantial progress has been made in reducing the existence of polio globally, ongoing treatment options can also help in achieving the goal to make our world polio- free. Treatment options include:

• Painkillers
• Bed rest
• Physical therapy
• Antibiotics for UTI
• Portable ventilators
• Heating packs for muscle pain
• Nutritional support
• Vaccinations

These treatment options are necessary to deal with poliovirus and it is important for every infected individual to take proper treatment as poliovirus can also lead to paralysis in rare cases if left untreated for long.