Polio - Symptoms, causes and treatment

Poliomyelitis or polio is a neurological disease that can cause permanent paralysis. This disease is caused by a viral infection and is highly contagious, but can be prevented by immunization against polio.

Most polio sufferers are toddlers, especially those who have not undergone polio immunization. However, polio can be experienced by anyone regardless of age. In addition to permanent paralysis, polio can also cause disorders of the respiratory nerves so that sufferers have difficulty breathing.

Causes of Polio

Polio is caused by the polio virus. The virus enters through the oral or nasal cavity, then spreads in the body through the bloodstream.

The spread of the polio virus can occur through direct contact with the feces of a polio patient, or through the consumption of food and drink that has been contaminated with the polio virus. This virus can also be spread through saliva splashes when an infected person coughs or sneezes, but this is less common.

The polio virus is very easy to attack people who have not received the polio vaccine, especially in the following conditions:

  • Living in an area with poor sanitation or limited access to clean water.
  • Is pregnant.
  • Have a weak immune system, for example people with AIDS.
  • Caring for family members infected with the polio virus.
  • Have had tonsils removed.
  • Undergoing strenuous activities or experiencing stress after exposure to the polio virus.
  • Work as a health worker who treats 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 few or no symptoms at all. However, people with polio can still spread the virus and infect other people.

Based on the symptoms that appear, polio can be divided into two types, namely polio that does not cause paralysis (nonparalysis) and polio that causes paralysis (paralysis). Here are the symptoms of both types of polio:

Non-paralytic polio

Nonparalytic polio is a type of polio that does not cause paralysis. Symptoms of polio appear 6-20 days after exposure to the virus and are mild. Symptoms last for 1-10 days, and will disappear on their own. These symptoms include:

  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Sore throat
  • Throw up
  • Muscles feel weak
  • Stiffness in the neck and back
  • Pain and numbness in the arms or legs

Paralysis polio

Paralytic polio is a dangerous type of polio because it can cause permanent paralysis of the spinal cord and brain. The initial symptoms of paralytic polio are similar to those of nonparalytic polio. However, within 1 week, symptoms will appear in the form of:

  • Loss of body reflex
  • Painful muscle tension
  • Legs or arms feel weak

When to go to the doctor

Polio immunization is given 4 times in the first 3 months since the child is born. Complete the child's polio immunization according to the schedule recommended by the doctor. Apart from the mandatory schedule, there are additional immunizations carried out according to the policy of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia. This additional immunization activity is called the National Polio Immunization Week (PIN Polio).

If there is a polio PIN activity and you have a toddler, visit the posyandu, puskesmas, or hospital where it is held, to get polio immunization, even if your child has received the complete polio vaccine.

Immediately consult a doctor if the above symptoms appear. Although rare, paralytic polio can cause paralysis very quickly, even within hours of being infected. Therefore, it is necessary to provide medical treatment as soon as possible.

Polio Diagnosis

Polio can be detected by examining symptoms, such as stiffness in the neck and back, and difficulty swallowing and breathing. Physical examination is also carried out to detect disturbances in body reflexes.

To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor will examine a sample of phlegm, stool, or brain fluid to detect the presence of the polio virus.

Polio Treatment

Doctors will advise patients to get more rest and increase fluid consumption to relieve symptoms that arise. Treatment aims to relieve symptoms, speed up the healing process, and prevent complications. The drugs commonly used are:

  • Pain reliever

    This medication is used to relieve pain, headache, and fever. An example of this drug is ibuprofen.

  • Antibiotic drug

    Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections that can accompany polio, such as urinary tract infections. Examples of antibiotics that can be given are: ceftriaxone.

  • Muscle relaxants (antispasmodics)

    This medication is used to relieve tension in the muscles. An example of this drug is tolterodine and scopolamine. In addition to medication, warm compresses can also be used to relieve muscle tension.

Doctors will put a breathing apparatus on the patient if polio causes respiratory problems. Sometimes, surgery will also be performed to correct the deformity of the arm or leg.

Actually, until now there is no effective treatment to treat polio. To prevent further loss of muscle function, patients need to undergo physiotherapy.

Polio Complications

Paralytic polio can cause a number of complications, such as:

  • Disability.
  • Deformities of the legs and hips.
  • Paralysis, either temporary or permanent.

In this condition, walking aids are needed to help the sufferer carry out daily activities. In more serious conditions, the polio virus that attacks the respiratory tract muscles can cause respiratory muscle paralysis and cause death.

In addition, recurrent polio symptoms can be experienced by people who have had polio. This condition is known as postpolio syndrome. Symptoms of postpolio syndrome have only appeared 30 years or more since the patient was first infected.

Symptoms of postpolio syndrome include:

  • Difficulty breathing and swallowing
  • Disturbed memory
  • Sleep disturbance
  • Depression
  • Muscles and joints are getting weaker and sore

Polio Prevention

Polio prevention can be done by immunization against polio. The polio vaccine is able to provide immunity against polio disease and is safe to give to people with weakened immune systems. There are two forms of polio vaccine, namely injectable (IPV) and oral drops (OPV).

Polio in the form of oral drops (OPV-0) is given to the baby shortly after birth. Furthermore, the polio vaccine will be given in four doses, either in the form of injections (IPV) or oral drops (OPV). The following is the schedule for administering the four doses of the polio vaccine:

  • The first dose (polio-1) is given at 2 months of age.
  • The second dose (polio-2) is given at 3 months of age.
  • The third dose (polio-3) is given at 4 months of age.
  • The last dose is given at 18 months of age, as a booster dose.

In the first three doses (polio-1 to polio-3), an infant should receive at least one dose of injectable polio vaccine (IPV).

To increase public awareness about the importance of polio immunization, the government organizes Polio National Immunization Week (PIN) in all regions of Indonesia. Through this activity, all infants and toddlers (aged 0-59 months) will be given additional polio vaccinations regardless of whether their immunizations are complete or not.

Polio vaccine for adults

The polio vaccine is also given to adults who have never been vaccinated against polio. The polio vaccine for adults is given in the form of an injection (IPV) which is divided into three doses. Here is the dosage distribution:

  • The first dose can be given at any time.
  • The second dose is given with an interval of 1-2 months.
  • The third dose is given 6-12 months after the second dose.

Adults who will travel to countries with active polio cases are also recommended to get polio vaccination. This is done as a form of prevention when interacting with sufferers or people suspected of having polio.

Side effects that can occur after giving polio injections are pain and redness at the injection site. Some people may develop allergies after vaccination, with symptoms such as:

  • Fever
  • Dizzy
  • Body feels weak
  • Rash appears
  • Heart beat
  • Hard to breathe

Call your doctor immediately if you experience these allergy symptoms.