Poliomyelitis is a rare serious infectious disease transmitted by airborne and fecal-oral (through dirty hands, toys, food) through.
In the countries of Europe and the CIS, virtually no registration is due to mass vaccination. The introduction of the vaccine produces a strong immunity to the disease for a long period.
Children are most susceptible to infection before the age of fifteen. Very rare in young people. At the older age, no infections have been recorded.
Signs of poliomyelitis
- increased body temperature, can fall and rise several times a day;
- aches in the joints;
- headache;
- weakness;
- vomiting;
- diarrhea;
- trembling of limbs;
- paralysis.
In the first stages it can be asymptomatic.
Since the disease is caused by infection of the cerebrospinal fluid, in half of the cases paralysis of the limbs occurs.
Poliomyelitis - treatment
At the first symptoms of the disease, it is necessary to undergo a laboratory examination. If viral poliomyelitis has been detected, the patient is hospitalized and creates favorable conditions for alleviating the condition, as well as reducing paralytic symptoms. The child should provide rest, a special bed, take the necessary measures to avoid pressure sores, give immunomodulating drugs and vitamins of group B.
Poliomyelitis - complications
When the polio virus reaches the central nervous system, or affects the spinal cord, paralysis occurs, motor functions are disrupted, speech and mental activity become more difficult. Limbs stop growth and development, deform. If the disease can be detected in time, then the occurrence of complications can be prevented. After complete cure, there are no traces of the disease.
Consequences of poliomyelitis
In half the cases, a person who has received a polio virus can remain a carrier of it, never having had it. If the disease proceeded without paralysis, a complete restoration of the body without residual effects and disturbances is guaranteed. After the transfer of paralysis, disability, deformity and dystrophy of the limbs, temporarily or for life, is possible. In the event that the paralysis reaches the diaphragm, the lethal outcome is not preventable due to severe disruption of the functions of the respiratory system.
Whether to do a vaccination against polio?
Even before the beginning of the 50s of the XX century, the disease with poliomyelitis reached epidemiological character. Children's poliomyelitis killed hundreds of thousands of people around the world.
But thanks to the invention of the vaccine, the disease was eliminated in all countries of Europe, in China, etc. Currently, less than one thousand infections per year are registered. Epidemics occur in countries with a low standard of living - Africa, Nigeria, etc.
In the CIS countries, vaccinations have been introduced to children, they are resistant to poliomyelitis.
Mass vaccination is carried out annually by newborns at the age of two, four and six months. Repeat inoculation in
There are no poliomyelitis drugs, the treatment is performed with the help of heating the limbs, vitamin therapy and specialized gymnastics, which helps restore motor functions.
Consequently, vaccination is the most effective method against infection with the virus. Alternative prevention has not yet been identified.
But against the background of the fact that the main number of children is vaccinated, in rare cases, we can refuse to vaccinate. Since the disease is almost eliminated and infected it is quite difficult.