Polio is an extremely dangerous infectious disease that affects the human nervous system. According to statistics, the disease affects mainly children and adolescents. So why does polio occur, what is it, and what symptoms are accompanied? These questions interest many parents.
Poliomyelitis: what is it and why does it arise?
The causative agent of this disease is the representative of picornaviruses Poliovirus hominis. The main source of infection is a sick person. Viral particles can be transmitted through the air. On the other hand, pathogens are secreted out and along with feces. It is worth noting that the virus is able to remain active in the external environment for months. Therefore, you can catch the infection through unwashed foods, due to non-observance of personal hygiene rules, etc.
It is worth noting that children under the age of seven are the most susceptible in this disease. Outbreaks of the disease are observed mainly in the spring and summer months.
Polio: photos and symptoms of the disease
As already mentioned, viral particles penetrate into nerve cells, causing their gradual destruction and necrosis. The incubation period most often lasts from 7 to 14 days, after which the first symptoms begin to appear.
Polio disease can occur in different ways. But the most dangerous is the paralytic form of the disease. It begins with a sharp rise in temperature, weakness and a runny nose. The child complains of headaches, nausea and vomiting, becomes inactive and lethargic. You can notice trembling limbs, cramps, muscle twitching - these are the first signs of polio.
If the patient was not provided with the necessary assistance, then the disease after a few days goes to the next stage, which is accompanied by irreversible damage to the nervous system. Paresis, partial or complete paralysis of different muscle groups begins to appear. Most often, the muscles of the limbs are affected. In some cases, the disease affects the muscles of the pharynx and tongue, as well as the muscle tissues responsible for the respiratory movements of the chest.
Due to muscle weakness in the child, dislocations and deformations of the skeleton appear, muscle atrophy develops.
Polio: what is it and why is it dangerous?
In about 5 to 10% of cases, the disease ends fatally due to paralysis of the intercostal muscles and diaphragm, which leads to respiratory failure. In any case, the absence of treatment for poliomyelitis leads to atrophy and flaccid paralysis, which, in turn, is fraught with curvature and maldevelopment of the skeleton.
The complications of this infection can also include pneumonia, lung collapse, inflammation of the heart muscle, and gastric ulcer.
Polio: what is it and is it possible to get rid of it?
Unfortunately, to date, no medicine has been found that can relieve the active form of the disease. Therefore, the main goal of therapy is to eliminate the symptoms, as well as rehabilitation treatment, which helps to alleviate the effects of muscle paralysis.
Of course, therapy is possible only in a hospital setting. First, the child is hospitalized and painkillers are prescribed to help alleviate the baby's condition. If the muscles of the limbs are affected, then tires are imposed on them, preventing the appearance of dislocations and curvatures. In the future, rehabilitation therapy is carried out, which provides for regular therapeutic exercises, warm baths and some physiotherapy methods that help at least partially restore muscle mobility.
Fortunately, the development of such a terrible disease can be prevented by polio vaccination.