Polio is a disease that is caused by a virus called poliovirus. Polio is also termed as POLIOMYELITIS. Polio is a frightening disease which can be spread from one person to another and can infect patient’s spinal cord which can ultimately lead to paralysis. Poliovirus causes disability in children. Polio virus can be transferred from one person to another mainly through water or food impurities especially to those children who are under 5 years.
Symptoms:
- Headache
- Fever
- Tiredness
- Sore throat
- Stomachache
- Backache
- Neck pain
- Stiffness in whole body
- Muscle ache
Above are the initial symptoms which only last for few days ten disappear.
Following are the types of polio:
- Paralytic Polio
- Non Paralytic polio
Paralytic Polio:
This is the most severe form of polio which can eventually lead to paralysis. Paralytic polio is quiet rare. Initially it will show the symptoms like flu then eventually build up to loss patient reflexes.
Non Paralytic Polio:
This is the mild form of polio which will not lead to paralysis. This virus will show flu like symptoms and then lead to severe muscle stiffness.
Diagnosis:
Polio can be diagnosis by a physical examination in which doctor will examine your physical state regarding your reflexes. Patient will feel difficulty in uplifting head while lying straight.
Further lab test can be performed to analyze polio virus which can be done by taking throat sample, stool sample and CSF (through LP).
Treatment:
Polio can only be prevented to get vaccinated. Children should get polio shots according to the schedule presented by (CDC).
Vaccination Schedule:
| AGE | DOSE |
| 2 MONTHS | ONE DOSE |
| 4 MONTHS | ONE DOSE |
| 6 – 18 MONTHS | ONE DOSE |
| 4 – 6 YEARS | BOOSTER DOSE |