POLIOMYELITIS

Outline

What Is Poliomyelitis?

Historical Background

Living With Polio

Types Of Polio

Causes And Symptoms

Prevention And Treatment

Physiotherapy In Poliomyelitis

Types of Polio

There are 3 types of polio infections:

Sub-clinical: Approximately 95 percent of polio cases are sub-clinical, and patients may not experience any symptoms. This form of polio does not affect the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord).

Non-paralytic: This form, which does affect the central nervous system, produces only mild symptoms and does not result in paralysis.

Paralytic: This is the rarest and most serious form of polio, which produces full or partial paralysis in the patient.

There are 3 types of paralytic polio:

Spinal polio (affects the spine),

Bulbar polio (affects the brainstem) &Bulbospinal polio (affects the spine and brainstem).

MICROSCOPIC VIEW OF POLIO VIRUS

Causes Of PoliomyelitisPoliovirus is often transmitted from person-to-person through fecal matter. People living in areas with limited access to running water or flush toilets often get the virus from drinking water contaminated by human waste that contains the virus.

In addition, the virus can be spread by contaminated food or water or direct contact with another infected person.

Pregnant women, people with weakened immune systems, such as HIV+ people, & young children are the most susceptible to the polio virus.

If you have not been vaccinated, you increase your risk of contracting polio by:

1-Traveling to an area that has had a recent polio outbreak2-Taking care of or living with someone infected with polio3-Handling a laboratory specimen of the virus4-Having your tonsils removed5-Extreme stress, which can compromise immune system function

SymptomsSub-Clinical PolioIf patients do have symptoms, they usually last for 72 hours or less and may include:headachesore, red throatslight fevervomitinggeneral discomfort

Non-Paralytic PolioThe symptoms of non paralytic polio may last for a couple of days to a week or two and includesfeversore throat in the absence of upper respiratory infectionheadachevomitingfatigueabnormal reflexesproblems swallowing and/or breathingarm and leg pain or stiffnessmuscle tenderness and spasms

Paralytic Polio

People with paralytic polio experience the symptoms associated with non-paralytic polio first. Soon after, the following symptoms appear:

1-loss of reflexes

2-severe spasms and muscle pain

3-loose and floppy limbs, sometimes on just one side of the body, this is due to the weakness which results from the involvement of the spine

4-sudden paralysis (temporary or permanent)

5-deformed limbs (especially the hips, ankles, and feet due to prolonged weakenss and the lack of appropriate orthopedic bracing

Full paralysis can eventually develop, but it is rare. Only about one percent of all polio cases will result in a person being permanently paralyzed. Of those patients who experience paralysis, five to 10 percent will die when the paralysis attacks the muscles that control breathing.

Prevention

The best way to prevent polio is to get vaccinated. Children should get polio shots according to the vaccination Schedule

Rarely, the shots can cause mild or severe allergic reactions, including:

1-breathing problems2-high fever3-dizziness4-hives5-swelling of throat6-rapid heart rate

Vaccination Schedule

Age

2 months One dose

4 months One dose

6 to 18 months One dose

4 to 6 years Booster dose

TreatmentThere is no cure for polio. Doctors can only treat the symptoms while the infection runs its course. The most common treatments include:

1- Rest

2- Painkillers to relieve headaches, muscle aches, and muscle spasms

3- Antibiotics for urinary tract infections

4- Portable ventilators to help with breathing

5- PHYSIOTHERAPY and/or corrective braces to help with walking

6- Heating pads or Warm Towels to ease muscle aches and spasms

7- PHYSIOTHERAPY to treat pain in the affected muscles.

8- PHYSIOTHERAPY to address breathing and pulmonary problems and then pulmonary rehabilitation to increase the patient’s pulmonary endurance as the acute breathing problems improve.