Poliomyelitis (Polio)
Description
A contagious viral illness caused by the poliovirus. There are three basic patterns of polio infection: subclinical infections, nonparalytic, and paralytic. Approximately 95% of infections are subclinical infections and do not experience any symptoms. In its most severe form, polio causes paralysis, difficulty breathing and sometimes death.
Symptoms
Nonparalytic polio: Malaise, headache, red throat, slight fever, sore throat, vomiting, soreness in the arms and legs. Paralytic polio: Headache, fever, constipation, neck pain, weakness, paralysis.
Tests
A history and physical exam will be performed. Tests to identify the infection and extent of the disease include: lumbar puncture, CSF examination, test for levels of antibodies to the polio virus, viral cultures of throat washings, viral cultures of stools, and/or viral cultures of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
- CBC
- Chem 12
Treatment
There is no cure for polio. Patients with paralysis of breathing will need aggressive mechanical ventilation. Antibiotics are given for secondary infections, and pain medications for comfort.
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