Poliomyelitis
We talked about Poliomyelitis before but because of the lack of polio vaccines in our health center, i wish to review the topic so that we will be informed of basic information regarding this disease and how important the polio vaccine is.
Poliomyelitis, also known as Infantile Paralysis and Heine-Medin Disease, is an acute infectious disease caused by any of the three types of poliomyelitis virus.
This virus affects the anterior horn cells of the spinal cord and the medulla, cerebellum and midbrain.
The three types of poliovirus are type 1, type II and Type III. Among the types mentioned, the most paralytogenic is type I and the least is type III.
The disease is most contagious a few days before and after the onset of symptoms when the virus is present in the oropharynx for about a week and in large quantities in the small bowels and is present in the feces up to about 3 months.
The route of transmission of poliovirus is mainly fecal-oral through food, water, utensils and other materials contaminated by human excreta.
So, it is very important to practice strict handwashing and for each household to have clean and proper toilets.
Clinically, there are four forms of manifestations:
1. Subclinical or asymptomatic
2. Abortive type or undifferentiated febrile illness
3. Preparalytic or meningitic type
4. Paralytic type
Children affected will present initially with a mild to moderate upper respiratory infection or flu like symptoms then for 1-2 days he may be well, active and playful.
Then there will be high grade fever, headache, vomiting, restlessness and poor appetite. This will progress to pain and stiffness followed by twitching and diminished deep tendon reflexes.
As the condition worsens, there will be hyperesthesia and irritability. The spinal paralytic form maybe evident with flaccid paralysis that may involve one or both lower extremities and in severe casesall four extremities are affected.
This condition may worsen leading to vasomotor disturbances, respiratory difficulties, hypertension and hypothalamic dysfunction, then death.
The management of poliomyelitis is symptomatic and supportive. What is most important here is prevention. It is important to maintain:
– sanitation
– proper food handling
– vaccinations
To be fully immunized, infants and children should receive 3 doses of polio vaccine with a booster dose at 1year and 6 months and at 4-6 years old.
It is a must and must not be delayed. We should not wait for a child to be infected with polio, we must act now, we must give prevention a priority so we must vaccinate!