Polio

Heale Medical Primary Care

Polio (Poliomyelitis): Overview

Polio, or poliomyelitis, is a highly contagious viral disease caused by the poliovirus. It primarily affects children under the age of 5 but can infect people of all ages. Polio can cause mild flu-like symptoms, but in severe cases, it attacks the nervous system, leading to paralysis or even death.

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Causes of Polio

1. Poliovirus Infection
   • The poliovirus spreads through:
     • Fecal-oral transmission: Consuming contaminated food or water.
     • Direct contact: With an infected person or their respiratory secretions.
2. Risk Factors
   • Poor sanitation and hygiene.
   • Unvaccinated individuals.
   • Overcrowded living conditions.

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Symptoms of Polio

Polio symptoms vary depending on the severity of the infection:

1. Asymptomatic Polio (90% of cases)

• No visible symptoms; the person is still contagious.

2. Non-Paralytic Polio

• Mild flu-like symptoms lasting 1–10 days:
  • Fever.
  • Fatigue.
  • Sore throat.
  • Headache.
  • Stiff neck and back.

3. Paralytic Polio (Rare)

• Symptoms appear after initial flu-like signs:
  • Severe muscle weakness.
  • Loss of reflexes.
  • Paralysis (often asymmetric, affecting one side of the body).
  • Breathing difficulties if respiratory muscles are affected.

4. Post-Polio Syndrome (PPS)

• Occurs years after recovery in some individuals:
  • Progressive muscle weakness.
  • Fatigue.
  • Joint pain.

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Diagnosis of Polio

1. Clinical Examination
   • Assessing muscle strength, reflexes, and physical symptoms.
2. Laboratory Tests
   • Throat swabs, stool samples, or cerebrospinal fluid: Detecting the presence of the poliovirus.
3. Imaging Tests
   • MRI may help identify inflammation or damage in the spinal cord.

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Treatment of Polio

There is no cure for polio, but supportive treatments help manage symptoms and prevent complications:

1. Acute Polio
   • Pain Management: Medications for muscle pain and spasms.
   • Physical Therapy: To prevent muscle deformities and improve mobility.
   • Respiratory Support: Ventilators for breathing difficulties.
2. Post-Polio Syndrome
   • Symptom management through physical therapy, energy conservation, and assistive devices.

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Prevention of Polio

1. Vaccination
   • Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV): Live attenuated vaccine administered orally.
   • Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV): Injected vaccine offering robust immunity.
   • Both vaccines are highly effective and have significantly reduced global polio cases.
2. Hygiene Practices
   • Wash hands thoroughly with soap and clean drinking water.
   • Proper sanitation to reduce fecal contamination.
3. Public Health Initiatives
   • Mass vaccination campaigns in endemic areas.
   • Surveillance to detect and respond to outbreaks.

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Complications of Polio

• Paralysis: Irreversible and often lifelong, affecting mobility and quality of life.
• Breathing Issues: Paralysis of respiratory muscles can be life-threatening.
• Disability: Deformities or muscle atrophy due to long-term paralysis.
• Death: In severe cases where respiratory or brain functions are affected.

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Global Efforts to Eradicate Polio

1. WHO Polio Eradication Program
   • Focuses on vaccination campaigns, especially in endemic regions like Afghanistan and Pakistan.
2. GAVI and UNICEF Initiatives
   • Supporting immunization programs in low-income countries.
3. Surveillance and Containment
   • Monitoring wild poliovirus and vaccine-derived poliovirus outbreaks.

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Conclusion

Polio is a preventable disease with potentially severe consequences. Vaccination remains the most effective method of prevention, and global efforts have brought the world closer to eradicating the disease. Maintaining high vaccination coverage and improving sanitation are essential to ensure polio does not re-emerge.