POLIO or POLIOMYELITIS Symptoms-Causes-Treatment
NONPARALYTIC POLIO (Symptoms usually last 1 - 2 weeks):
The goal of treatment is to control symptoms while the infection runs its course. People with severe cases may need lifesaving measures, especially breathing help. Symptoms are treated based on how severe they are.
Treatments include:
- What is Polio?
Polio is a viral disease that can affect nerves and can lead to partial or full paralysis. Poliomyelitis is caused by infection with the poliovirus. The virus spreads by direct person-to-person contact, by contact with infected mucus or phlegm from the nose or mouth, or by contact with infected feces.
The virus enters through the mouth and nose, multiplies in the throat and intestinal tract, and then is absorbed and spread through the blood and lymph system. The time from being infected with the virus to developing symptoms of disease (incubation) ranges from 5 - 35 days (average 7 - 14 days).
What are the symptoms of Polio?
There are three basic patterns of polio infection: subclinical infections, non-paralytic, and paralytic. Approximately 95% of infections are subclinical infections, which may not have symptoms.
SUBCLINICAL INFECTION (People with subclinical polio infection might not have symptoms, or their symptoms may last 72 hours or less) - General discomfort or uneasiness (malaise)
- Headache
- Red throat
- Slight fever
- Sore throat
- Vomiting
NONPARALYTIC POLIO (Symptoms usually last 1 - 2 weeks):
- Back pain or backache
- Diarrhea
- Excessive tiredness, fatigue
- Headache
- Irritability
- Leg pain (calf muscles)
- Moderate fever
- Muscle stiffness
- Muscle tenderness and spasm in any area of the body
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Pain in front part of neck
- Pain or stiffness of the back, arms, legs, abdomen
- Skin rash or lesion with pain
- Vomiting
- Fever 5 - 7 days before other symptoms
- Abnormal sensations (but not loss of sensation) in an area
- Bloated feeling in abdomen
- Breathing difficulty
- Constipation
- Difficulty beginning to urinate
- Drooling
- Headache
- Irritability or poor temper control
- Muscle contractions or muscle spasms in the calf, neck, or back
- Muscle pain
- Muscle weakness, asymmetrical (only on one side or worse on one side) Comes on quickly, Location depends on where the spinal cord is affected, Worsens into paralysis
- Sensitivity to touch; mild touch may be painful
- Stiff neck and back
- Swallowing difficulty
The goal of treatment is to control symptoms while the infection runs its course. People with severe cases may need lifesaving measures, especially breathing help. Symptoms are treated based on how severe they are.
Treatments include:
- Antibiotics for urinary tract infections
- Medications (such as bethanechol) for urinary retention
- Moist heat (heating pads, warm towels) to reduce muscle pain and spasms
- Pain killers to reduce headache, muscle pain, and spasms (narcotics are not usually given because they increase the risk of breathing difficulty)
- Physical therapy
- Braces or corrective shoes
- Orthopedic surgery to help
recover muscle strength and function