Infantile paralysis, also known as polio or poliomyelitis, is a highly contagious infection caused by Poliovirusresulting in symptoms such as low-grade fever, sore throat, vomiting, muscle weakness, or pain or stiffness in the arms or legs.
The infantile paralysis virus naturally inhabits the intestine and can be transmitted to other people through contact with contaminated objects, feces, food or water. This infection occurs more frequently in children, but can also affect adults.
Read too: Poliomyelitis: what it is, symptoms, transmission and treatment
Infantile paralysis can be easily prevented through the polio vaccination offered free of charge by the SUS, recommended from 6 weeks of age, in 3 doses and 2 booster doses. Furthermore, it is important to take some precautions to prevent its transmission, such as washing your hands frequently and proper food hygiene.
Symptoms of infantile paralysis
The main symptoms of infantile paralysis are:
- Low fever;
- Headache, sore throat or body pain;
- Nausea or vomiting;
- Excessive tiredness;
- General malaise.
These symptoms are the most common in the acute phase of infantile paralysis, being similar to flu symptoms, and in 95% of cases, they disappear after 5 days without the need for specific treatment.
When the infection reaches the spinal cord, it can cause symptoms such as muscle spasms or weakness, pain or stiffness in the arms or legs or paralysis of one or both legs, and muscle flaccidity is also noted.
Furthermore, around 5% of cases of infantile paralysis can progress to aseptic meningitis, with the main symptom being stiffness in the neck. Know how to identify the symptoms of viral meningitis.
It is essential that in the presence of signs and symptoms possibly indicative of infantile paralysis, the pediatrician or general practitioner is consulted so that tests can be carried out to confirm the infection and, thus, support measures can be initiated.
How to confirm the diagnosis
The diagnosis of infantile paralysis is made by a pediatrician, in the case of children, or a general practitioner, in the case of adults, through the assessment of symptoms, vaccination and health history, in addition to a physical examination.
Make an appointment with the pediatrician in the region closest to you:
If the doctor suspects meningitis, blood tests or a lumbar puncture may be ordered. Find out how a lumbar puncture is performed.
Other tests that the doctor may order are RT-PCR fecal viral cultures to detect the presence of poliovirus and the serotype.
To evaluate the muscles and the central nervous system, the doctor may order tests, such as electroneuromyography or magnetic resonance imaging, for example.
How transmission happens
Infantile paralysis is caused by Polyviruswhich is a virus that can be easily found in the intestine and can be transmitted in the following ways:
- Fecal-oral contact through the consumption of objects, food or water contaminated with the Polyvirus;
- Contact with released secretions by an infected person when coughing, sneezing or talking, for example.
Although it can be easily transmissible, the development of the disease can be prevented through vaccination, which must be carried out in childhood.
How the treatment is carried out
The treatment of infantile paralysis must be carried out under the guidance of a pediatrician or general practitioner at the hospital, with hospitalization.
Therefore, supportive treatment may be indicated, such as the use of medication to reduce fever or relieve pain, as there is no specific treatment for infantile paralysis.
Additionally, the use of splints may be indicated to relieve pain and muscle spasms and prevent deformities in the arms or legs.
During the convalescence phase, the doctor may recommend physiotherapy to promote the stimulation and development of atrophied muscles, in addition to helping to improve posture. In some cases, the use of orthoses may also be recommended to correct deformities.
It may also be recommended for children to be monitored by an occupational therapist to encourage the development of skills, improving their quality of life.
Possible sequelae of infantile paralysis
The main sequelae of infantile paralysis are:
- Permanent paralysis of one of the legs;
- Paralysis of the speech and swallowing muscles, which can lead to the accumulation of secretions in the mouth and throat;
- Different growth of the legs, which may cause changes in the curvature of the spine;
- Muscle atrophy;
- Greater sensitivity to touch;
- Difficulty speaking;
- Crooked foot.
These sequelae are related to changes in the nervous system caused by Polyvirus and are normally present in people who were infected and developed the disease in childhood.
Furthermore, people who have suffered from infantile paralysis for more than 30 years may also develop post-polio syndrome, which causes symptoms such as weakness, a feeling of shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, fatigue and muscle pain, even in non-paralyzed muscles.
How to prevent
The best way to prevent infantile paralysis is to take the polio vaccine, the indication for which may vary according to the age at which it is administered:
- Babies and children: the vaccine is made in 3 doses and 2 doses apart. The first three doses are given two months apart (2, 4 and 6 months of age) and the vaccine booster is given at 15 months and 4 years of age.
- Adults: 3 doses of the vaccine are recommended, the second dose should be applied 1 or 2 months after the first and the third dose should be applied 6 to 12 months after the second dose.
Adults who did not receive the vaccine in childhood can be vaccinated at any age, but especially when they need to travel to countries with high numbers of polio cases.
