About Poliomyelitis:
Poliomyelitis, often called polio or infantile paralysis, is a very contagious viral disease caused by the poliovirus. Poliomyelitis can affect nerves and can lead to partial or full paralysis. The disease is preventable with the polio vaccine.
Transmission:
The virus spreads by:
- Direct person-to-person contact
- Contact with infected mucus or phlegm from the nose or mouth
- 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). Most people do not develop symptoms.
Risks include:
- Lack of immunization against polio
- Travel to an area that has experienced a polio outbreak
Outbreaks can still occur in the developed world, usually in groups of people who have not been vaccinated. Polio often occurs after someone travels to a region where the disease is common. As a result of a massive, global vaccination campaign over the past 20 years, polio exists only in a few countries in Africa and Asia.
Symptoms:
There are three basic patterns of polio infection: subclinical infections, nonparalytic, and paralytic. Most people have subclinical infection, and may not have symptoms.
SUBCLINICAL INFECTION SYMPTOMS
- General discomfort or uneasiness (malaise)
- Headache
- Red throat
- Slight fever
- Sore throat
- Vomiting
People with subclinical polio infection might not have symptoms, or mild symptoms may last 72 hours or less.
Clinical poliomyelitis affects the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), and is divided into nonparalytic and paralytic forms. It may occur after recovery from a subclinical infection.
Treatment:
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 their severity.