How Do You Know If You Had Polio As A Child?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Progressive muscle and joint weakness and pain . General fatigue and exhaustion with minimal activity . Muscle atrophy . Breathing or swallowing problems .

Is there a test to see if you had polio?

There’s no diagnostic test for post-polio syndrome . Diagnosis is based on a medical history and physical exam, and exclusion of other conditions that could cause the signs and symptoms.

What are the signs of polio in a child?

  • Fever.
  • Sore throat.
  • Headache.
  • Vomiting.
  • Fatigue.
  • Back pain or stiffness.
  • Neck pain or stiffness.
  • Pain or stiffness in the arms or legs.

Can you have a mild case of polio?

People with this form may have a mild illness with symptoms similar to those from the flu. But the illness doesn’t appear to affect the brain. People with this form usually recover within a week.

Can you have polio without knowing?

There are several theories as to what causes post-polio syndrome, but no one knows for sure . When poliovirus infects your body, it affects nerve cells called motor neurons — particularly those in your spinal cord — that carry messages (electrical impulses) between your brain and your muscles.

What is the root cause of polio?

Polio is caused by 1 of 3 types of the poliovirus . It often spreads due to contact with infected feces. This often happens from poor handwashing. It can also happen from eating or drinking contaminated food or water.

Can a vaccinated child get polio?

Can the IPV vaccine cause polio? No , the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) cannot cause paralytic polio because it contains killed virus only.

What is the key symptom of polio?

Paralysis is the most severe symptom associated with polio, because it can lead to permanent disability and death. Between 2 and 10 out of 100 people who have paralysis from poliovirus infection die, because the virus affects the muscles that help them breathe.

How long does it take to recover from polio?

How Long Does Polio Last? People who have milder polio symptoms usually make a full recovery within 1–2 weeks . People whose symptoms are more severe can be weak or paralyzed for life, and some may die. After recovery, a few people might develop “post-polio syndrome” as long as 30–40 years after their initial illness.

How long do polio victims live?

“In the initial acute polio episode, patients can lose up to 60 or 70 percent of their motor nerve cells. The surviving nerve cells find muscle fibers that still work and attach to them, restoring function. After 15 to 40 years ,” Dr.

Why does polio affect the legs?

In a growing child, bone grows as a result of the muscle pull on it and/or weight bearing . Therefore, many who contracted polio as a growing child may have one arm or leg or foot that is shorter and smaller than the non-affected/less affected limb.

What are the 3 types of polio?

There are three wild types of poliovirus (WPV) – type 1, type 2, and type 3 . People need to be protected against all three types of the virus in order to prevent polio disease and the polio vaccination is the best protection.

What are long term effects of polio?

The most common long-term problems seen in polio are brace problems, knee recurvatum

Can polio be transmitted through air?

Sometimes poliovirus is spread through saliva from an infected person or droplets expelled when an infected person sneezes or coughs. People become infected when they inhale airborne droplets or touch something contaminated with the infected saliva or droplets.

Who is most at risk of polio?

Pregnant women, people with weakened immune systems — such as those who are HIV-positive — and young children are the most susceptible to the poliovirus.

How is polio most commonly spread?

How is polio spread? Polio is spread when the stool of an infected person is introduced into the mouth of another person through contaminated water or food (fecal-oral transmission). Oral-oral transmission by way of an infected person’s saliva may account for some cases.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.