Through contaminated food, water, or direct contact with an infected person, poliovirus causes poliomyelitis, or poliomyelitis. Polio is a virus that attacks the nervous system, leading to paralysis and even death in severe cases. In spite of widespread vaccination efforts, it remains endemic in some countries.
Causes
In most cases, poliomyelitis is caused by the poliovirus. It is highly contagious and spreads primarily through the fecal-oral route, which means that infected individuals are able to transmit it by contaminating food, water, or surfaces with their feces. Respiratory droplets can also transmit polio in rare cases.
Symptoms
It is common for people who have been infected with the poliovirus to not develop any symptoms or only experience mild flu-like symptoms. However, in some cases, polio can lead to more severe symptoms, such as:
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People with polio often experience low-grade fevers.
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A severe case of polio can cause muscle weakness, paralysis, or even permanent disability, especially in the legs and sometimes in the arms and breathing muscles.
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Polio can sometimes cause inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, known as meningitis.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of poliomyelitis usually involves a combination of clinical evaluation, laboratory testing, and medical history. The poliovirus or its genetic material may be detected using laboratory tests such as throat swabs, stool samples, or cerebrospinal fluid analyses. The extent of muscle or nerve damage can also be assessed with imaging studies, such as X-rays or MRI scans.
Treatment
Poliomyelitis cannot be cured, but treatment focuses on alleviating symptoms, preventing complications, and boosting the body's natural immune response. Symptoms of poliomyelitis may include:
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To help the body recover from infection, supportive care may include rest, pain relief, and hydration.
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Individuals with muscle weakness or paralysis caused by polio can benefit from physical therapy to improve strength, mobility, and function.
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In some cases, individuals with severe weakness or paralysis may require mobility aids such as braces, crutches, or wheelchairs.
Prevention
It is crucial to immunize children against poliomyelitis. Polio vaccines are safe, effective, and have helped reduce the global burden of polio. In areas where polio is still endemic or where there is a risk of virus importation from other regions, routine vaccinations with the oral polio vaccine (OPV) or inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) are recommended for children and adults.
