Causes and risk factors:
Poliomyelitis is caused by infection due to poliovirus. This virus spreads through contaminated food or water or through oral fecal route. Unhygienic condition is the major contributing factor for the spread. Malnourished people, Immuncompromised people and an individual with skeletal muscle injury is at high risk for developing the infection.
Clinical presentation
Depending upon the site of paralysis, paralytic poliomyelitis is classified as spinal, bulbar and bulbospinal. It is also divided into major and minor illness. Major illness affects the central nervous system, it may cause paralysis or it can be non paralytic while Minor illness does not affect the central nervous system, it is also called as abortive poliomyelitis. The incubation period can be from 3 days to 35 days. Majority of the people do not show any signs or symptoms. Non paralytic polio can lead to complaints like fever, headache, vomiting and weakness. Stiffness of extremities is seen. Paralytic polio affects the brainstem or spine or both, it leads to paralysis. In post polio affection the person present with symptoms like muscle weakness, pain in joint, general weakness, intolerance to cold temperature and mood swings. Polio can lead to complications like muscle paralysis, Deformities in the joints, Gastric dilatation, Intestinal erosions, Hypertension and even Myocarditis.
Investigations
Diagnosis is done on the basis of symptoms narrated by the patient and the physical examination carried out by the doctor. Blood test for poliovirus antibodies, lumbar puncture test for cerebrospinal fluid examination and stool examination for the virus detection is diagnostic. Certain other investigations can also be advised by the doctor.
Treatment
No specific treatment is available for poliomyelitis; prevention through vaccination is the only measure available. Anti pyretic and analgesic medications are administered. For paralytic poliomyelitis Hospitalization is necessary. In cases of infection to the brain or spinal cord Maintenance of airways needs to be done and aspiration of saliva, food or vomitus needs to be avoided. For Non paralytic poliomyelitis rest is advised and medications are prescribed. Vaccination for poliomyelitis is the most essential preventive step. Polio vaccine is of 2 types-Oral polio vaccines and inactivated polio vaccine. Polio vaccine is administered at the age of 2 months, 4 months and another between 6-18 months. Between 4-6 years of age a booster does is given. In case if the person is not vaccinated for polio during childhood then he can be vaccinated with first dose at any time of life. Second dose is given 1-2 months after the first dose and third dose is given 6-12 months after the second dose.
Other modes of treatment:
The other modes of treatment can also be effective in treating Addison’s. Homoeopathy is a science which deals with individualization and considers a person in a holistic way. This science can be helpful in combating the symptoms. The Ayurvedic system of medicine which uses herbs and synthetic derivates can also be beneficial in combating the complaints.
Recent update:
The American association for the advancement of science published an article stating that giving the Salk inactivated polio vaccine in an individual who have already been given the Sabin live attenuated oral polio vaccine may improve their immunity to poliovirus.
Facts and figures:
As per the WHO statistics for 2014, poliomyelitis is eradicated throughout the world with the help of vaccination. It is only prevalent in countries like Pakistan, Nigeria and Afghanistan.
