Have you ever sought medical advice for fever, throat pain, or a sore neck? If so, you may have been diagnosed with polio and might not know that the symptoms can be prevented. In this article, I explain what the symptoms of polio are and how you can prevent them from happening.
What is Polio?
Polio is a highly contagious viral illness that can cause irreversible paralysis in young children.
There is no cure for polio, but there are treatments available to help manage the symptoms.
The best way to prevent polio is to get vaccinated against it.
Symptoms of Polio
Polio typically starts with fever, fatigue, and muscle aches. These symptoms may lead to vomiting and diarrhea. Within a few days, a child may develop a rash all over the body and might start to experience difficulty breathing. In extreme cases, polio can paralyze the entire body.
If you think your child has contracted polio, make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. There is no specific treatment for polio other than managing the symptoms until the illness runs its course. However, making an appointment will help ensure that you get the appropriate medical care for your child.
How Can You Protect Yourself From the Illness?
If you’re like most people, you probably think of polio as a childhood disease. But the fact is that polio can strike adults as well, and it’s still a serious illness. Here’s what you need to know about poliovirus and how to protect yourself from it.
What are the Causes of Polio?
Polio is caused by a virus. There are three types of poliovirus: enterovirus, paramyxovirus, and picornavirus. Each type of poliovirus can cause different symptoms, but they all lead to paralysis in the nervous system.
The most common way to get poliovirus is through contact with feces, vomit, or saliva from an infected person. You can also get poliovirus by drinking contaminated water or eating food that has been handled by an infected person.
You can prevent polio by getting vaccinated against the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends being vaccinated against polio every year between the ages of 2 and 6 years old. Children who are other than fully vaccinated may need a booster vaccine later in life.
There is no cure for polio, but there are vaccines available that can help protect you from the disease. Vaccines work best when they are given before someone gets sick with poliovirus. You can get vaccinated at your doctor’s office, health clinic, or hospital.
Signs of Flu and Other Viral Infections
Symptoms of Polio And How You Can Prevent The Illness
If you think you may have the flu, here are some signs to watch for: fever, body aches and a sore throat. If you’re worried about getting the flu, follow these steps:
-Stay home if you have a fever of 38.3 degrees Fahrenheit (3 degrees Celsius) or higher, a severe headache, a cough that won’t go away, or a sore throat that’s accompanied by a high fever.
-If you do go to work or school, take Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) as soon as possible. The drug can shorten the duration of the flu by about two days for adults and children 6 years and older. It is available without a prescription at most pharmacies. Take it with plenty of water.
-If you are pregnant, contact your doctor right away if you develop symptoms of the flu such as fever, body aches, diarrhea or pneumonia. Pregnant women who get the flu may give birth to babies who are developmentally delayed or have problems breathing.
Preventing the Spread of Meningitis
Symptoms of Polio:
Polio is a highly infectious disease that can cause permanent damage to the nervous system. The most common symptom of polio is a fever, but other symptoms may include a headache, muscle pain, and fatigue. If you think you may have contracted polio, please contact your doctor immediately. There is currently no vaccine available to prevent poliovirus infection. The best way to protect yourself from polio is to get vaccinated against it.
There are several steps you can take to help prevent the spread of polio:
- Keep your home clean and well-organized. This will help reduce the number of opportunities for poliovirus to spread.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick with or have recently been infected with poliovirus.
- Get vaccinated against polio if you are at risk for exposure. The vaccine is available in many health care providers’ offices and some pharmacies. Please check with your health care provider to find out if the vaccine is available in your area.
