What is Polio? Learn its causes, symptoms and treatment
December 19, 2020 Lifestyle Diseases 1117 ViewsWhat is Polio?
Polio was a very common disease among the children around 30 years ago. India is a country with a huge population where a large number of people were affected with polio during that time. It is due to the successful attempts by the Government of India that polio has become just a name in the history. This is a sort of achievement for the whole country. The last cases of polio were reported in Gujarat and Punjab in India. On 27th of March, 2014, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared India to be Polio-free. The World Polio Day is celebrated on 24th of October every year to increase the awareness of polio among the people. Let us go through some specific information about Polio.
- What is Polio?
- What are the types of Polio?
- What causes Polio?
- What are the symptoms of Polio?
- What is the treatment of polio?
- How to prevent polio?
What is Polio?
Polio, also known as poliomyelitis, is a severe infectious disease which spreads via the polio virus. The infection spreads from one person to the other. It affects the brain and the spinal bones of the affected person. This leads to the inability of daily bodily functions.
What are the types of Polio?
Polio is classified into three types:
- Bulbar Polio: People suffering from Bulbar poliomyelitis may develop weakness and respiratory problems.
- Spinal Paralytic Polio: People who suffer from this ailment have paralysis in some body parts or the whole body.
- Non-Paralytic Polio: People suffering from Non-Paralytic polio do not suffer from paralysis.
What are the causes Polio?
There are numerous factors that causes polio:
- The polio virus spreads from contaminated food and water or via direct contact with an infected person. Polio is a contagious disease that can never be treated completely.
- A person gets infected if he/she comes into contact with objects contaminated with infected feces.
- The polio virus spreads via sneezing and coughing. The virus lives in the throat and the intestine of a person.
- The virus may also spread if a healthy person uses the same toilet which is used by an infected person.
- The fetus gets infected with the polio virus if the pregnant mother is infected.
What are the symptoms of Polio?
The symptoms of polio depend on the type of polio. People affected with Non-Paralytic polio, develop symptoms of mild flu which lasts for around 10 days. The following are the symptoms of polio:
- Fever
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Vomiting
- Sore throat
- Neck pain
- Muscle weakness
- Meningitis
- Pain and cramps in the arms and legs
- Backpain
What is the treatment of polio?
The treatment of polio is carried out mainly in two ways:
- Children under 5 years of age, are given polio drops. This is the first polio treatment given to children.
- The second polio treatment is to cure a person suffering from polio. Injections and medications are used for the treatment.
How to prevent polio?
- To prevent polio, children are given vaccination at the right age.
- According to the IVP, children are given four doses. The polio booster is given at 2 months, 6 months, 7 to 14 months and 6 to 7 years of age.
- The CCD’s advice states that the children must be given polio shot booster to the children before travelling to the polio-prone area.
- Children up to 5 years of age must be given polio drops. This prevents the threat of polio.
If you want any information or treatment related to polio, contact a General Physician.
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