#IDFridays Week 35: Polio

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The world has almost eliminated polio which has no cure and can permanently cripple or kill you

Photo Credits: National Geographic, Guardian Nigeria

Name
Polio (full name: poliomyelitis)

Transmission

A highly infectious disease caused by a virus (poliovirus)
The virus invades the brain and spinal cord and can cause total paralysis in hours
The poliovirus lives in the throat and intestines and spreads from person to person through contact with infected feces
- It can spread through inhaling droplets when an infected person sneezes or coughs
- It can also spread through drinking/eating contaminated water or food
Mainly affects children under 5 years old

Geography
Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nigeria

It was a global problem until 1988 when the first coordinated polio eradication program began
Until August 2016, Nigeria was considered polio-free

Incubation Period
7 – 21 days

Signs and Symptoms

72% of infected people do not have any visible symptoms but can pass the virus to others.

Symptoms in the first 2 – 5 days:

Tiredness
Headache
Fever
Neck stiffness
Nausea
Stomach pain
Sore throat
Limb pain

These symptoms usually last 2 to 5 days then disappear. Some people develop more serious symptoms:

Meningitis
Paralysis of arms and/or legs (can lead to permanent disability and death)

Diagnosis
Lab testing of samples of throat, and feces, or cerebrospinal fluid

Treatment

There is no cure
Long-term symptoms can be reduced if supportive treatment such as pain control, good nutrition, and physical therapy are used

Prognosis

Less than 1% of people end up with irreversible paralysis
Among those paralyzed, 5% to 10% die when their breathing muscles become immobilized
15 to 40 years after recovery, new muscle pain, weakness, or paralysis can occur and is called post-polio syndrome

Prevention: What Can You Do?
Ensure you and your loved ones get the vaccine because it is the best way to protect yourself from the disease and stop the spread between people

Polio In the News

Sources:
http://www.cdc.gov/polio/
http://www.who.int/topics/poliomyelitis/en/