Polio, once a disease that caused widespread fear and uncertainty, may seem like a thing of the past, but understanding it remains crucial. Knowing how it spreads, and the importance of vaccination is key to staying protected. Heath publications will dive into everything you need to know about polio—its symptoms, and the science behind it.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), polio is an illness caused by a highly infectious virus that invades the nervous system and can cause paralysis in hours. The organisation adds that this virus is transmitted through fecal-oral or contaminated water or food and can cause fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, stiffness, and pain.
“Polio mainly affects children under 5 years of age. However, anyone of any age who is unvaccinated can contract the disease. There is no cure for polio, it can only be prevented. The polio vaccine, given multiple times, can protect a child for life.”
The Cleveland Clinic mentions that there are different types of polio namely, abortive, non-paralytic, and paralytic poliomyelitis. Abortive poliomyelitis is claimed to cause flu-like symptoms, while non-paralytic poliomyelitis causes aseptic meningitis, “A swelling of the area around your brain.”
The above source further explains that paralytic polio attacks the brain and spinal cord, paralysing muscles. “It can paralyse the muscles that allow you to breathe, speak, swallow and move your limbs. Depending on what parts of your body are affected, it’s called spinal polio or bulbar polio. Spinal and bulbar polio can appear together (bulbospinal polio). Less than 1% of people with polio get paralytic poliomyelitis.”
According to WebMD, abortive polio symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, sore throat, stomachache, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting. Nonparalytic polio symptoms are said to include neck pain, stiffness, and a bad headache. Paralytic polio symptoms include loss of reflexes, muscle pain, floppy limbs, pins and needles, paralysis, sensitivity to touch, swallowing difficulties, and sleep disorders like sleep apnea, the publication adds.
Polio spreads through contact with infected individuals’ poop or sneeze or cough droplets, often through close contact, explains the New York State Department of Health. Although not everyone shows symptoms, it is mentioned that all infected individuals can spread the virus.
For prevention purposes, the Western Cape Government publication states that polio vaccination is essential for protecting yourself and your children. It is suggested that you take your children to visit your nearest clinic for polio vaccinations at birth, 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks, 18 months, and 5 years old. Additionally, community members and parents can help by ensuring all children receive the vaccine, following the immunisation schedule, and reporting sudden weakness in a child under 15 years old to the nearest clinic or hospital, the publication concludes.
