Polio: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis And Vaccination

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Polio (poliomyelitis or infantile paralysis) is a highly contagious infection, which can lead to paralysis and even death. It can be symptomatic or asymptomatic. Around 95 per cent of the polio cases are asymptomatic in nature.

Though the world has fought well with polio, there is still a lot to be done to eradicate this deadly disease completely, which has left several children crippled and dead.

Today, only three countries in the world have polio and they are Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria. India was officially declared a polio-free country by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in March 2014.

Who Are Vulnerable To Polio?

Like many other infectious diseases, the young, expecting mothers and those with a weak immune system are the most likely to get affected by polio. Also, those who have not been administered polio vaccine can get affected by this disease.

How Does The Polio Infection Spread?

Polio can spread from person to another person under the following circumstances:

• Travelling to countries where polio is still endemic.
• Staying in contact with a person who has polio; polio spreads through faeces, cough, sneeze, etc.
• Consumption of contaminated food and water.
• Working in a laboratory where a live poliovirus has been stored for research purposes.

The dangerous part of polio is that its transmission can take place without the display of any symptom.

How Can The Polio Virus Affect Us?

Once the poliovirus enters the human body, it infects the cells of the intestine and throat. It takes control of the host's cells. The virus spreads along certain nerve fibre pathways, replicates it and destroys the motor neurons with the spinal cord, brain stem and motor cortex, leaving the affected person crippled. Gradually, the virus affects the entire human body.

Symptoms Of Polio

As has been mentioned earlier, most of the polio victims don't show any symptoms like falling sick. In case of non-paralytic polio or abortive poliomyelitis, symptoms include fever, sore throat, vomiting, fatigue, back and neck pain, stiffness of arms and legs and even meningitis or infection of the membranes surrounding the brain.

In the case of paralytic polio, the virus enters the motor neurons and destroys the cells in the spinal cords, brain stem, motor cortex, etc. Symptoms of paralytic polio are same as non-paralytic polio, to begin with, but it leads to more serious symptoms like loss of muscle flexes, muscle pain and spasms, etc.

Paralytic Polio

Paralytic polio affects only a small percentage of those invaded by the poliovirus. In these cases, the virus enters the motor neurons where it replicates and destroys the cells. These cells are normally in the spinal cord, brain stem, or motor cortex - an area of the brain important in controlling movements.

Post-polio Symptoms
These are a cluster of symptoms that affect up to half the number of polio patients. They can occur several years after polio has occurred. The post-polio symptoms include:

• Pain and weaknesses in the muscles and joints
• Quick fatigue
• Difficulty in breathing and swallowing
• Suffering during winter
• Sleep apnoea
• Difficulty in memorising and concentrating

Diagnosis And Treatment Of Polio

Polio is mostly recognised by means of the symptoms like the stiffness of neck and back, difficulty in swallowing and breathing, etc. Laboratory tests are conducted to examine the body samples to confirm whether it is poliovirus.

There is no cure for this disease. The best way to deal with it is to take vaccines to prevent it. The general treatment for polio include:

• Bed rest
• Painkillers and antibiotics
• Portable ventilators to help in times of breathing difficulty
• Physical therapy to treat joint pain
• Pulmonary rehabilitation to treat lung problems

Polio Vaccination

According to the CDC, children should be given four doses of polio vaccine at the following ages: 2 months, 4 months, 6-18 months, and 4-6 years.

Polio vaccination is a must for children to boost their immunity against the disease. Children who were going to travel to other countries where the incidence of polio is greater must complete the series before the trip.

If they are unable to complete the series, they can opt for accelerated schedule and complete the doses:

• First dose at six weeks or older
• Second dose after four or more weeks to the first dose
• Third dose after four or more weeks to the second dose
• Fourth dose after six or more months to the thrid dose

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.