You may have heard of a disease called 'polio'. For some people, it comes on like a normal flu and goes away without any major problems. However, for some people, it can be a bit more serious, sometimes causing lifelong health problems and, very rarely, causing death. So, today we will talk about this disease called 'Polio' and how to protect yourself from it.
What exactly is Polio?
Simply put, polio is a disease caused by a virus . It is caused by a virus called ``poliovirus``. It can spread very quickly from one person to another. Most people who get it do not show any major symptoms, or they show very mild symptoms. However, some people can develop severe symptoms. This is when conditions such as paralysis occur.
Polio has now been eradicated from many countries around the world, including the United States. However, it has not been completely eradicated . The disease is still present in some parts of the world. Therefore, if we do not take care of vaccination, there is a high chance that it will spread again.
Sometimes, when polio causes weakness in the limbs or paralysis, doctors also call this ``poliomyelitis''.
Should we also be aware of these symptoms?
When polio occurs, each person may experience different symptoms.
Common symptoms
Often, the first symptoms that come to mind are those that resemble a fever or a cold. These are:
- Feeling tired and exhausted
- Fever
- Sore throat, sore throat
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Indigestion, diarrhea, or constipation
- Stomach pain
Symptoms that can be serious
For some people, flu-like symptoms can develop into more severe symptoms a few days or even weeks later. Here are some things to watch out for:
- Neck stiffness, difficulty bending the neck
- Pain, numbness, or tingling in the arms and legs (doctors call this ``paresthesia'')
- Severe headache
- Sensitivity to light, meaning that your eyes are too sensitive to look at bright lights (this is called ``photophobia``)
- Feeling pain when touched (sensitivity to touch)
- Sudden muscle tightening, twitching
- Weakness or paralysis : This can cause you to be unable to move parts of your body, making it difficult to breathe, swallow, or speak.
Important: Most people infected with poliovirus do not show any symptoms. However, it is important to remember that even if they do not have symptoms, they can still spread the virus to others.
What causes polio?
Polio is caused by a virus called `(poliovirus)`. It belongs to the `(enterovirus)` family of viruses. Simply put, this virus first affects our throat and intestines. Then, symptoms like a fever start to appear. But sometimes this virus doesn't stop there. It can spread to our brain and spinal cord . That's when the muscles used to breathe, speak, swallow food, and move our limbs become inactive, causing conditions like paralysis.
How is polio transmitted?
Polio is a highly contagious disease . It is spread from person to person mainly through feces or respiratory droplets from sneezing or coughing . It can also be spread through dirty, contaminated water and food.
Imagine situations like this:
- If you don't wash your hands thoroughly after going to the toilet or after handling a small child's feces.
- It's okay to drink dirty water that has the virus in it, or to get it in your mouth.
- If you swim in a place with dirty water, for example, in a swimming pool.
- If you eat food made with dirty water or food that has been contaminated with dirty water.
- When someone with polio coughs or sneezes.
- When you are in close contact with someone who has polio.
- If you touch a surface (e.g. a toy, doorknob) that has the virus on it and then touch your mouth or nose with that same hand.
Who is at higher risk of developing polio?
If you haven't been fully vaccinated against polio, and you haven't had polio before, you can still get polio. This is especially true if you live in or travel to an area where polio is still prevalent .
Generally, anyone of any age can get polio. However, young children are more likely to get it . This is because they haven't had it before and may not have been fully vaccinated.
What are the possible complications of polio?
Polio can cause various complications. Some of them are:
- An infection or swelling of the brain (encephalitis)
- An infection of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord (meningitis)
- Paralysis (possibly lifelong)
- Post-polio syndrome : This is when someone who recovered from polio as a child experiences muscle weakness and pain again years, sometimes decades, later.
- Death (in very severe cases)
How does a doctor diagnose polio?
A doctor can diagnose polio by looking at your symptoms and testing your body fluids. It's important to tell your doctor if you've recently traveled.
The doctor may take samples of bodily fluids like these and test them:
- A saliva sample taken from the throat
- A stool sample
- A blood sample
- Cerebrospinal fluid (`cerebrospinal fluid`) - this is taken from the spinal cord with a small needle (a test called a `lumbar puncture`)
Because the symptoms of polio are very similar to those of a common flu, the doctor will also check for other common illnesses.
Is there a cure for polio?
Unfortunately, there is no specific cure for polio . That is, there is no specific medicine to give for it. There is no way to make it better quickly or prevent paralysis.
However, physical therapy can help with weakened muscles. Also, if the muscles used for breathing are weak, you may need to use a machine to help you breathe (mechanical ventilation).
When should I see a doctor?
It's best to see a doctor if you:
- If you have been in contact with someone who has polio and you have symptoms.
- If you have any questions about the polio vaccine.
It would also be helpful to ask the doctor things like:
- How should I take care of myself at home?
- When should I see you again?
- What symptoms should I go to the hospital for?
- Can I spread this disease to someone else? For how long?
- Can I go to work or school?
- What should I do to avoid spreading this to others?
- When will I get better?
- Will I have any long-term problems?
How can you protect yourself from polio?
The best and most important way to protect yourself from polio is to get the polio vaccine . This is usually given at a young age. If you haven't gotten the vaccine as a child, or don't know much about it, talk to your doctor about it.
Vaccination is the main protection!
Remember, the polio vaccine is the main shield to protect you and your children from this dangerous disease. It is essential to give these vaccines to children according to the vaccination schedule provided by the Sri Lankan government.
More safety measures
In addition to vaccination, you can also reduce your risk by doing these things:
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water often, especially after using the toilet and changing diapers for young children.
- Don't go swimming if you have diarrhea. Also, don't let your children swim if they've recently had diarrhea.
- If you are in or traveling to an area without clean water, use only bottled water for drinking and cooking .
What happens if you get polio? Can you recover?
Most of the time, polio causes mild flu-like symptoms. They usually go away in a few days or a week. However, it is not possible to predict who will develop severe symptoms and who will not . You may feel better for a while, and then develop new symptoms again a few days or weeks later.
However, most people recover completely from polio , with no long-term damage. However, in some cases, muscle weakness or paralysis can be permanent.
If you had polio as a child, you may develop the condition referred to earlier as ``post-polio syndrome'' when you become an adult.
What can you do to get relief at home?
If you have polio symptoms, you may find some relief from these things:
- Drink plenty of fluids like water and soup.
- Applying a hot water bottle (heat packs) can help with muscle pain.
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers. However, do not give any pain relievers to children without first consulting a pediatrician .
- Do physical therapy and exercises recommended by your doctor.
- Rest well.
Has polio been eradicated from the world?
Polio has been eradicated from many parts of the world thanks to childhood vaccinations. That is, it is no longer prevalent in many places. Before widespread public health programs were implemented, polio epidemics in the early 1900s paralyzed and killed thousands of people. For example, the last major outbreak in the United States in 1952 left more than 21,000 people, mostly children, paralyzed.
Since the widespread use of polio vaccines in 1955, poliovirus infections have declined dramatically. Polio was declared eradicated from the United States in 1994. However, cases can still occur occasionally, usually due to foreign travel. If people stop getting vaccinated, polio can start spreading again .
Of the three wild poliovirus types, types 2 and 3 have now been eradicated from the world. That is, there are no more naturally occurring cases. Although type 1 has been eradicated from many countries, it has not been completely eradicated from the world.
In fact, it is because of this effective vaccine that many of us today no longer have to worry about the terrible consequences of polio. However, although the spread of it has stopped in many parts of the world, public health organizations are still working to completely eradicate it. Remember, as long as polio is still present somewhere in the world, it can come back and cause serious disease . If you have any concerns about your safety, especially if you are traveling to an area where polio is still prevalent, talk to your doctor.
The most important things we need to remember
Okay, so, let me summarize a few things we've talked about about polio that I think are important to you:
- Polio is a disease caused by a virus that can be severe, sometimes even paralyzing.
- Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and your children from polio. It is essential that you get your vaccinations on time.
- Good hygiene practices (handwashing, using clean water) help prevent the spread of polio.
- If you have symptoms of polio (fever, body aches, stiff neck, weakness in your limbs), see a doctor immediately .
- Since polio has not been completely eradicated from the world, it is very important for us all to be aware of this and follow safety measures.
I hope you find this information useful. Stay healthy!
` Polio, Polio, Polio symptoms, Polio vaccine, Polio virus, Paralysis, Child health
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