Childhood paralysis, also known scientifically as polio, is a serious infectious disease that can cause permanent paralysis of certain muscles and usually affects children, but can also occur in the elderly and adults with weakened immune systems.
Since childhood paralysis has no cure if it affects the muscles, it is advisable to prevent the disease, which involves taking the polio vaccine, which can be given from 6 weeks, divided into 5 intakes.See how vaccination is done that protects against the disease.
- Early symptoms of polio often include sore throats.
- Excessive fatigue.
- Headache and fever.
- And can therefore be easily confused with the flu.
These symptoms usually go away after 5 days without specific treatment, however, in some children and adults whose immune system is weakened, the infection can develop from complications such as meningitis and paralysis, causing symptoms such as:
Although this is rarer, there may still be difficulty speaking and swallowing, which can lead to respiratory failure due to the buildup of airway secretions.
Discover the treatment options available for polio
The cause of childhood paralysis is poliovirus contamination, which can occur from oro-fecal contact, when it has not been adequately vaccinated against polio.
The aftermath of childhood paralysis is related to an alteration of the nervous system and can therefore occur:
People who have had childhood paralysis for more than 30 years may also develop post-polio syndrome, which causes symptoms such as weakness, shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, fatigue and muscle pain, even in unsealed muscles.In this case, physical therapy is performed, with muscle stretching and breathing exercises can help control the symptoms of the disease.
Discover the main sequelae of infantile paralysis
The best way to prevent childhood paralysis is to get vaccinated against polio:
Adults who did not receive the vaccine in childhood can be vaccinated at any age, but especially when they have to travel to countries with high levels of polio.