Polio
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Polio is a neurological disease that can cause permanent paralysis. The condition is caused by a viral infection and is highly contagious, but it can be prevented by carrying out polio immunization.
Polio or poliomyelitis can be experienced by anyone, but it generally affects children under 5 years of age (toddlers), especially those who have not undergone polio immunization. In addition to permanent paralysis, polio can also cause disorders of the respiratory nerves. This condition causes the sufferer to have difficulty breathing.
Causes of Polio
Polio disease is caused by the polio virus. The virus enters through the oral cavity or nose, then spreads in the body through the bloodstream.
The spread of the poliovirus can occur through direct contact with the stools of polio sufferers or through the consumption of foods and drinks contaminated with the poliovirus. The virus can also spread through splashes of saliva when the sufferer coughs or sneezes, but it occurs less frequently.
The polio virus is straightforward to attacks people who have not received the polio vaccine, especially under the following conditions:
Living in areas with poor sanitation or limited access to clean water
- Pregnant
- Have a weak immune system, for example, because you have AIDS
- Caring for family members infected with the polio virus
- Work as a healthcare worker treating polio patients
- Travel to areas that have experienced polio outbreaks
Symptoms of Polio
Most polio sufferers do not realize that they have been infected with polio because the polio virus initially causes only a few symptoms or does not even cause any symptoms. However, people with polio can still spread the virus and cause infection in others.
Based on the symptoms that appear, polio can be divided into two types: polio which does not cause paralysis (nonparalysis), and polio, which causes paralysis (paralysis). Here are the symptoms of both types of polio:
Polio nonparalytic
Nonparalysis polio is a type of polio that does not cause paralysis. These symptoms of polio appear 6–20 days from exposure to the virus and are mild.
Symptoms of nonparalytic polio last for 1–10 days and will disappear on their own. Such symptoms include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Vomiting
- Muscles feel weak
- Stiffness in the neck and back
- Pain and numbness in the arm or leg
- Paralysis polio
Paralytic polio is a dangerous type of polio, as it can cause permanent paralysis of the spinal and brain nerves. The initial symptoms of paralysis polio are similar to nonparalytic polio. However, within 1 week, symptoms will appear in the form of:
- Loss of body reflexes
- Painful muscle tension
- Limbs or arms feel weak
When to see a doctor
Immediately check the child with a doctor if the above symptoms appear. Although rare, paralytic polio can cause paralysis very quickly, even within a matter of hours of infection. Therefore, medical treatment needs to be given as soon as possible.
Diagnosis Polio
Polio can be detected by examining symptoms such as neck and back stiffness and difficulty swallowing and breathing. A physical examination will also detect disturbances in the body's reflexes.
To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor will examine a sputum, feces, or brain fluid sample to detect the polio virus.
Polio Treatment
Until now, there has been no effective treatment to deal with polio. Treatment is only aimed at relieving symptoms, speeding up the healing process, and preventing complications.
The doctor will recommend the patient rest and consume fluids to relieve the symptoms. In addition, the doctor will give medicines in the form of:
- Painkillers
The drug is used to relieve pain, headache, and fever. An example of this drug is ibuprofen.
- Antibiotic drugs
Antibiotics treat bacterial infections that can accompany polio, such as urinary tract infections. An example of an antibiotic that can be given is ceftriaxone.
- Muscle relaxants (antispasmodics)
Muscle relaxants, such as tolterodine and scopolamine, are used to relieve tension in the muscles. Warm compresses can also be done to help ease muscle tension.
The doctor will install a breathing apparatus for polio patients with respiratory problems. Surgery can also be performed to correct deformities of the arm or leg.
To prevent further loss of muscle function, patients will also be advised to undergo physiotherapy.
Polio Complications
Paralytic polio can cause many complications, such as:
- Disabled
- Deformity of the limbs and hips
- Paralysis, both temporary and permanent
- Difficulty breathing due to paralysis of the muscles of the respiratory tract
- Respiratory failure
- Death
In addition, recurrent polio symptoms can be experienced by people exposed to polio. This condition is known as a postpolio syndrome. Symptoms of postpolio syndrome only appear 30 years or more since the sufferer was first infected.
Symptoms of the postpolio syndrome include:
- Difficulty breathing and swallowing
- Memory impairment
- Sleep disorders
- Depression
- Muscles and joints are getting weaker
Polio Prevention
Prevention of polio can be done by conducting polio immunization. The Polio vaccine can provide immunity to polio disease and is safely given to people with a weakened immune system.
There are two forms of polio vaccine: injectable (IPV) and oral drops (OPV). The polio vaccine in oral drops (OPV-0) is given to babies shortly after birth. Furthermore, the polio vaccine will be given in as many as four doses, both in injectable form and oral drops.
The following is the schedule for administering the four doses of polio vaccine:
- The first dose (polio-1) is given at the age of 2 months
- The second dose (polio-2) is provided at the age of 3 months
- The third dose (polio-3) is given at the age of 4 months
- The last dose is administered at the age of 18 months as a booster dose
To increase public awareness about the importance of polio immunization, the government held a Polio National Immunization Week (PIN) throughout Indonesia.
Through this activity, all babies and toddlers (aged 0-59 months) will be given additional polio vaccinations without considering whether the immunization is complete or not.
Polio vaccine for adults
The polio vaccine is also given to adults who have never had polio immunization. The Polio vaccine for adults is administered in three doses in an injectable form (IPV). Here is the dosage division:
- The first dose can be given at any time
- The second dose is administered with a time lag of 1–2 months
- The third dose is issued with a time lag of 6–12 months after the second dose
Adults who travel to a country with active polio cases must also undergo polio vaccination. This is a form of prevention when interacting with sufferers or someone suspected of polio.
source:https://www.alodokter.com/polio
