Sabin Polio
Polio Symptoms
Polio Virus
Polio Immunization
Polio Treatment
Poliomyelitis or polio is a acute viral infectious disease. It is spread through crowding, unclean conditions, and improper sanitation of waste fluids. During the early 20th century, this disease devastated many populations around the world; thanks to vaccines developed in the middle of the century, it is rare in first world countries. Unfortunately, lack of thorough vaccination in developing nations makes polio a recurring problem in these areas of the world.
The infection is caused by the poliovirus, a virus that attacks the digestive tract in human beings. There are three classes of the disease, and the most mild, type three, represents the bulk of infections. The patient may experience a general feeling of malaise and flu-like symptoms, but he or she may not even realize that these symptoms are the result of a polio infection. In more severe cases, the virus gets into the bloodstream and starts to rapidly multiply, causing more serious health problems.
Oral polio vaccines.
A more aggressive form of polio is focused on the spinal cord. It causes a condition known as aseptic meningitis, which can be very serious. The patient experiences the classic symptoms of meningitis, such as a fever and stiff neck, but the symptoms are caused by the virus instead of the bacteria and viruses more commonly associated with meningococcal disease. It can be treated by keeping the patient hydrated and rested, on a firm bed.
Malaise is one symptom of type 3 polio.
The most serious type of polio is associated with paralysis. About 1% of cases will result in a condition called flaccid paralysis, in which the virus interrupts muscle signals, causing muscles to grow slack and weak. In some cases, the body can naturally recover, growing fresh nerve cells to replace the damaged ones. In other instances, permanent paralysis or disfigurement may result. If the polio reaches the brain or lungs, it can be fatal, as it will cause the patient to stop breathing. More aggressive therapy, such as putting the patient on a ventilator, may be required for survival.
If a person contracts polio, it is important to remain hydrated.
When a polio outbreak is occurring, proper hygiene is crucial. The disease has a three to 12 day incubation period, so members of a household may already have it. To prevent the spread of the disease, water should be boiled before drinking, and the house should be kept scrupulously clean. Once a patient has been diagnosed with the virus, he or she may face a lengthy period of physical therapy, if the infection takes a paralytic form.
Polio may advance to the point where a patient needs a ventilator to breathe.
In 1955, Jonas Salk developed a vaccine for polio, using deactivated virus. Albert Sabin followed in 1963 with an easy to administer oral active vaccine, which is also highly effective. Routine vaccination this disease is standard in many countries as a result.
What are the Effects of Polio?
Who are Some Famous Polio Survivors?
What is Infantile Paralysis?
What is an Iron Lung?
Who is Jonas Salk?
Who is Franklin Delano Roosevelt?
How do Immunizations Work?
To apple58tree: I had an operation for tendon transfer and muscle transplant in or about 1955 done by Dr. Mustard who has since died. Many polio survivors have had several operations since. Fortunately for me so far, I have not needed any. I have, however, been diagnosed with post polio syndrome. Try contacting the March of Dimes.
my mom said when i was born in 1952 that i had it in my left leg and she was told to take a broom stick and roll it down my leg to help straighten it. i always got what we called charlie horses in behind my left knee cap, and I still do, only now my left knee hurts more often. it's hard to get to sleep at night without a heating pad on it. is my polio returning?
suntan12
Oasis11- There are several levels of polio with the most severe cases causing death. Polio eradication was a goal of the Pan American World Organization and the World Health Organization.
They increased the amount of available polio vaccines and polio immunizations and included door to door initiatives.
It is their goals to complete eradicate polio within the next ten years. This is a global polio eradication initiative.
Polio today is not as widespread as it was fifty years ago, but there was a recent case in 1999 in United States.
Usually polio treatment for children results in the IPV polio vaccine. After two does the child has a 92% rate of protection, with three doses provides 99% protection. Most children are done with these booster shots by age 6.
oasis11
Apple58tree- I am so sorry that you had to go through so many surgeries. I could even imagine what that was like. I don't have an answer to your questions, but I wish you luck in your quest to find answers.
I just want to say that most children now are vaccinated against polio. My mother suffered from polio as a child and as a result, she had a paralytic left leg and she walked with a limp. She grew up in the 50's and polio was still a threatening disease.
apple58tree
I would like to know if anyone under 55 years old who had the more severe polio and have had surgeries to help them walk. I am 52 and had many orthopedic surgeries from age 2 in 1960 to my most recent elbow surgery five weeks ago.
I had my right hip operated on by a Dr. Mustard at sick kid's hospital in toronto in 1967. Has anyone else had this doctor? So far I have had 31 surgeries and more are sure to follow. Older people did not have the medical help that I got as a child, so I would be interested if anyone else had surgeries and if they are having ongoing problems.
By: JoLin
By: Martinan
By: anyaivanova
By: Ocskay Bence
Lack of thorough vaccination in developing nations makes polio a recurring problem in some parts of the world.
By: air
Many people know of polio as the condition that made President Franklin Roosevelt wheelchair-bound, although current research shows he may have had Guillain-Barré syndrome instead.