Doctor's Notes on Polio
Polio is an infectious disease caused by polioviruses that can result in symptoms ranging from none to lifelong disability or death. The virus spreads from person-to-person contact. The biggest risk factor for getting polio is not getting vaccinated against the disease. Others who are at higher risk for developing the illness include young children, immunosuppressed people, pregnant women, people living or traveling in areas where polio is endemic, and polio patient caregivers.
Polio may cause little or no symptoms and many people may be unaware they are infected. Patients who do show symptoms fall into two major groups,
- non-paralytic polio and
- paralytic polio.
Symptoms of non-paralytic polio include flu-like symptoms (fever, sore throat, headache, malaise, neck, and back and muscle stiffness or discomfort) that usually subside quickly.
Symptoms of paralytic polio involve rare and severe complications. Early symptoms of paralytic polio are the same as non-paralytic polio symptoms, but in about a week, paralytic symptoms of severe muscle aches and spasms, loss of reflexes, and flaccid paralysis (extremities are not controllable; they become floppy) develop. Breathing may become difficult.
What is the treatment for polio?
While there is a vaccine available to prevent polio infections, there is no known treatment that can cure polio once a person has been infected.
Treatments consist of supportive measures such as:
- Bed rest
- Medications to control pain
- Good nutrition
- Physical therapy that can reduce the incidence of deformities over time
Some people with polio may require special diets if they have problems swallowing; leg braces or splints to control pain, muscle spasms, or to help correct deformities; or breathing assistance.
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Bowel regularity means a bowel movement every day.
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Enterovirus (Non-Polio Enterovirus Infection)
Non-polio enterovirus infections cause symptoms and signs such as sneezing, mouth blisters, and fever. Non-polio enterovirus treatment includes supportive care, such as oxygen therapy, inhaled steroids, and ventilator support. Other illnesses also caused by non-polio enteroviruses include meningitis, conjunctivitis, hand, foot, and mouth disease, paralysis, myocarditis, pericarditis, and spastic paralysis. -
Fever (in Adults)
A fever is a body temperature of 100.4 F or greater. A fever may be caused by a virus, bacteria, fungus, blood clot, tumor, drug, or the environment. Treatment of fever in adults usually involves ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or aspirin. -
Fever in Children
Fever is defined as a rectal temperature over 100.4 F or 38 C. Fever isn't life-threatening unless it is persistently high - greater than a 107 F rectal temperature. Fever is usually caused by an infection. Treatment focuses on controlling the temperature, preventing dehydration, and monitoring for serious illness. -
Flu in Children (Childhood Influenza)
Children may become infected with influenza by inhaling infected droplets in the air or if they come in contact with secretions from an infected person. Symptoms in children include a high-grade fever up to 104 F, chills, headaches, sore throat, cough, and muscle aches. Treatment of flu in children involves rest, increased fluid intake, treating fever with acetaminophen or ibuprofen, using a humidifier, and using a rubber suction bulb to remove nasal secretions in younger children. -
Is Sore Throat (Pharyngitis) Contagious?
Sore throat caused by a viral or bacterial infection is contagious. Other cases of sore throat caused by smoking, allergies or environmental irritants are not contagious. -
Sore Throat
Sore throats are generally named for the anatomical site affected, such as: the pharynx, tonsils, adenoids, larynx, and epiglottis. Sore throat treatment depends on the cause, infection, viral, or fungal.
REFERENCE:
Kasper, D.L., et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.