Poliomyelitis in children is more common at the age of 10 years. It is an acute viral disease that affects cells in the brain and spinal cord, which causes flaccid paralysis. It has been known for a long time, and until a polio vaccine appeared , many babies were killed.
The causative agent of the disease is resistant to almost any environmental conditions. He tolerates even very low temperatures and stay in water, but is afraid of boiling, disinfectants and ultraviolet radiation.
Infection occurs by the oral-fecal method. The pathogen can get into the child’s body with dirty hands if the baby played in the ground on the street. The virus can be found in drinking water or food.
However, the main methods of infection remain airborne and household, especially if the patient is nearby. A child can “catch” the virus during a conversation with him, with a kiss, after his sneezing or coughing.
Poliomyelitis in children has the following symptoms:
- sore throat;
- nausea;
- cough;
- vomiting
- runny nose;
- headache;
- temperature;
- tension in the muscles of the neck.
During the incubation period, the disease does not manifest itself. Outwardly, the child seems healthy, but in his intestines there is a rapid multiplication of the virus. The duration of this condition is 5-35 days.
Polio in children proceeds in several stages:
- Preparative. This period lasts from 1 to 6 days. The disease begins abruptly, with the manifestation of all symptoms simultaneously. Due to damage to the nervous system, the child’s inactivity can be observed, it becomes painful and difficult to move independently. At about 4-5 days, the temperature drops.
- Paralytic period. After temporary relief, the second stage begins. The temperature rises again, pain, confusion of thoughts appear. Then comes paralysis, which does not pass within 2-14 days. Most often, the child ceases to feel his limbs, less often - the body. After which the temperature drops, and the baby begins to recover.
- Recovery period. Usually it takes a lot of time - from 3-6 months to 2-3 years. Within six months, the condition of the child improves very quickly. Later this process slows down. With a severe defeat of the polio virus of the spinal cord, paralysis can persist completely or partially.
During treatment, the patient should definitely observe bed rest. Affected limbs should be constantly warm. It is recommended to take sedatives, B vitamins, and for severe pain - painkillers.
Polio in children can also occur in a non-paralytic form. It manifests itself in the form of mild meningitis or fever.
There is also vaccine-associated polio. It is observed in children who have not yet managed or have not completed the full course of vaccinations (or if they did it wrong), and this also happens if there is a defect in local immunity (directly in the intestine). It can be called the most dangerous complication after vaccination.
As a disease prevention, it is always necessary to keep the hands of babies clean, avoid bathing in contaminated water, do not eat unwashed foods and carefully protect them from flies, they can carry the virus on their paws.