What are the causes symptoms and prevention or treatment of polio?

Answer 1

Polio, also Known as poliomyelitis is a contagious infectious disease that can be caused by one of three related viruses. A polio infection can be very serious leading to paralysis and even death. When a person is exposed to polio, it generally takes about three to five days for symptoms to appear.

In approximately 95% of polio cases, the virus causes no symptoms or serious effects. and in about 5% of cases, the polio virus manifests in a mild form with flu-like symptoms, in a non paralytic form. In a severe form called paralytic polio. People who have minor or non paralytic forms recover completely.

Paralytic polio is a very serious type of polio causing paralysis. The polio virus invades the central nervous system, the spinal cord as well as the the brain and may cause weakness, paralysis, serious breathing difficulty or even death. Paralytic polio begins like the milder forms of polio, however, this form of the disease usually causes severe muscle pain as well as other symptoms. Paralysis usually happens within the first week. The individual may lose the ability to use of one or both legs, arms, and may mechanical assistance to breathe. Recovery varies from person to person, however people that have had polio will always

Polio is caused by a virus that inhabits the throat and intestinal tract.

Symptoms of Polio.

The symptoms vary depending on the type of polio. mild polio, has symptoms that include : headache, nausea, vomiting, general discomfort or a slight fever for up to three days. In nonparalytic polio they are similar to mild cases, with the addition of moderate fever, stiff neck, back, fatigue and muscle pain. The symptoms for polio and paralytic polio are however different. Those that have paralytic polio experience tremor, muscle weakness, fever, stiffness, constipation, muscle pain and spasms, and difficulty swallowing.

People who have not been immunized against polio or have a weakened immune system may be infected with polio from contact with individuals who are receiving the oral polio vaccine. the virus can also be spread eating food or drinking water contaminated with polio virus. The polio virus may also be contracted through direct contact with infected stool or throat secretions. People are most infectious a few days before and after the onset of symptoms.

Post Polio Syndrome is a 'second' disability affecting a large number of polio survivors.

Can Polio be treated?

Polio can be treated. Your doctor will prescribe medicine to treat you.

Can Polio be prevented?

Polio can be prevented . There is a vaccine available to prevent polio.