Polio

Polio (also called poliomyelitis ) is a contagious, historically desolating disease that was virtually eliminated from the Western hemisphere in the second half of the 20th century. In 1921, the future president lost the use of his legs after contracting poliomyelitis (polio), an infectious viral illness that in its most serious form causes paralysis, asperity breathing and sometimes death. Approximately 95 percent of polio cases, infection from the polio virus causes no symptoms or serious effects. The virus usually penetrates the body via the mouth, and multiplies in the gut. Yet, untreated respiratory muscle weakness can result in underventilation, and debility in swallowing muscles can result in aspiration pneumonia.

Patients who had slight symptoms from the original illness will most probably undergo only mild PPS symptoms. People initially hit hard by the poliovirus and who accomplished a greater retrieval may develop a more severe case of PPS with a greater loss of muscle function and more acute fatigue. By the mid-1950s, mass immunizations started to slow polio's spread, and in 1979 the last case of wild polio that is, polio not caused by a vaccine occurred in the United States. Currently, despisal a concerted global eradication campaign, polio continues to afflict children and adults in other parts of the world, especially west and central Africa and India. Precautions are recommendable before traveling to certain parts of the world.

Polio (poliomyelitis) is a very communicable disease caused by a virus. Polio typically causes no more than a sore throat, headache, malaise, intestinal upset and fever. Approximately 90 percent of infected persons have no more than these mild symptoms and recover completely. Nearly 10 percent of infected individuals develop a high fever, meningitis (inflammation of membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord), and rigid neck and back pain.

According to estimates by the National Center for Health Statistics, more than 440,000 polio outlivers in the United States may be at risk for PPS. Researchers are incompetent to establish a firm prevalence rate, but they estimate that the condition affects 25 percent to 50 percent of these survivors, or possibly as many as 60 percent, depending on how the disorder is defined and which study is quoted.

Causes of Polio

The common Causes of Polio :

• Polio is caused by a virus which lives in the throat and intestinal tract.
• Polio can strike at any age, but more than half of all cases affect children under the age of three.
• Polio is most common in infants and young children, but difficulties occur most often in older persons.

Symptoms of Polio

Some common Symptoms of Polio :

• Fever.
• Pain or stiffness in the arms or legs.
• Vomiting.
• Muscle spasms or tenderness.
• Back pain or stiffness.
• Unusual sensations or increased sensitivity to touch.
• Diarrhea.
• Constipation.
• Fatigue.
• Headache.
• Neck pain or stiffness.

Treatment of Polio

• There is no treatment for polio. A polio patient must have expert medical care, primarily at the beginning of the illness.
• Because no drug developed so far has proven effective, treatment is completely symptomatic. Moist heat is clustered with physical therapy to stimulate the muscles and antispasmodic drugs are given to produce muscular relaxation.
• Treatment of pain with analgesics (such as acetaminophen)
• Polio is diagnosed by a blood test or culture.
• Bed rest (until fever is reduced)
• Adequate diet
• Minimal exertion and exercise
• Antibiotics for infections.