Poliomyelitis - Symptoms & Treatment

Poliomyelitis is a highly contagious infectious disease caused by three types of poliovirus. The poliovirus is a virus most recognized for its destruction to the nervous system causing paralysis. Poliomyelitis (polio) is a highly infectious disease caused by a virus. The majority of individuals (90-95 percent) have no symptoms at all. This is referred to as inapparent infection. The three other categories will be discussed. The virus enters the body through the mouth and multiplies in the intestine. Initial symptoms are fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, stiffness in the neck and pain in the limbs. One in 200 infections leads to irreversible paralysis (usually in the legs). Among those paralysed, 5%-10% die when their breathing muscles become immobilized. Transmission of the poliovirus most often occurs by the fecal-oral route. Usually this occurs from poor handwashing or from ingestion of contaminated food or water. Respiratory secretions also spread poliovirus.

Those infected with the virus can excrete the virus in their stool for several weeks. It invades the nervous system, and can cause total paralysis in a matter of hours. Poliovirus infections can exhibit symptoms in varying degrees of severity. The viral particles initially replicate in the nasopharynx and gastrointestinal tract and then invade lymphoid tissues, with subsequent hematologic spread. After a period of viremia, the virus becomes neurotropic and produces destruction of the motor neurons in the anterior horn and brainstem. The destruction of motor neurons leads to the development of flaccid paralysis, which may be bulbar or spinal in distribution.Poliovirus infections can exhibit symptoms in varying degrees of severity. The majority of individuals (90-95 percent) have no symptoms at all.

Causes of Poliomyelitis

Common causes of Poliomyelitis

Picornaviridae.
Drooling.

Symptoms of Poliomyelitis

Common Symptoms of Poliomyelitis

Fever.
Headache.
Nausea.
Vomiting.
Abdominal pain.
Oropharyngeal hyperemia.
Constipation.
Anorexia.
Malaise.

Treatment of Poliomyelitis

Common Treatment of Poliomyelitis

Analgesia is indicated in cases of myalgias or headache.
Mechanical ventilation is often needed in patients with bulbar paralysis.
Tracheostomy care is often needed in patients who require long-term ventilatory support.
Physical therapy is indicated in cases of paralytic disease.
High levels of polio immunization in the community is the single most effective preventive measure.

Infectious Disease

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