Poliomyelitis

By: Thelma Molina & Rick Carrillo

What is Poliomyelitis?polio= gray matterMyelitis= inflammation of the spinal cordThis disease result in the destruction of motor neurons caused by the poliovirus.Polio is causes by a virus that attacks the nerve cells of the brain & spinal cord although not all infections result in sever injuries and paralysis.

When was it reported?Poliomyelitis was recorded in the late 1700s with the first epidemic in the late 1800s.The cases that were reported in 1979 where mild and self-limited and do not result in paralysis.

How is polio transmitted?Poliovirus is transmitted through both oral and fical routes with implantation and replication occurring in either the orapgaryngeal and or in the intestine of mucosa. Polio cases are most infected for 7-10 days before and after clinical symptoms begin.

What are the symptoms?Many include fever, pharyngitis, headache, anorexia, nausea, and vomiting. Illness may progress to aseptic meningitis and menigoencephalitis in 1% to 4% of patients. These patients develop a higher fever, myalia and sever headache with stiffness of the neck and back.

Polio in children

Can it cause paralyzes?Paralytic disease occurs 0.1% to 1% of those who become infected with the polio virus.Paralysis of the respiratory muscles or from cardiac arrest if the neurons in the medulla oblongata are destroyed.Patients have some or full recovery from paralysis usually apparent with proximally 6 monthsPhysical therapy is recommended for full recovery.

TreatmentBed rest with close monitoring of respiratory and cardiovascular functioning is essential during the acute stage of poliomyelitis along with fever control and pain relievers for muscle spasms.Mechanical ventilation, respiratory therapy may be needed depending of the severity of patients.

VaccinePolio vaccine first appeared to be licensed in the United States in 1955.Advantages:Ease to administrationGood local mucosal immunityDisadvantage:Strict cold shipping & storage requirementsMultiple doses required to achieve high humeral conservation rates against all virus types

Vaccine (continuation)Babies are given 4 doses through out their infancy.Adolescents and adults should get vaccinated as well. Adolescents younger than 18 should receive the routine four doses.You should get it if you travel outside places where polio id still an epidemic

What is post polio syndrome?This can affect between 25 to 50 serious of polio. they show symptoms of muscle and joint pain general fatigue and weakness.Three indications of PPSPrevious diagnoses of polio ( late affect of polio to people that got it like when they where 10 years old)Long interval following recovery( people usually live long but effect can occur during 30 to 35 years after the diagnoses)Gradual onset (weakness that tends to be perceptible until it interferes with daily activities)

StatisticsPolio was one of the most dreaded child disease in the 20th century in the U.S.An epidemic in 1916 killed 6,000 people and left 27,000 more paralyzed.In 1950 parents would not let their children go to local swimming pools or movies because of the polio virus.

Polio factThe march of dimes began in 1938 a fund-raising campaign for polio. People were asked to send one dime directly to the White House to help fight the disease. In the first 3 days the White House received 230,000 dimes. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, whose profile is now on the dimes was himself paralyzed by polio.

Work citedThe new England medical journalwww.nejm.orgHuman Anatomy & PhysiologySixth edition Elaine N. MariebAnother Torch of Freedom !