Polio in children is more common before the age of 10 years. This is an acute viral disease that affects the cells of the brain and spinal cord, which causes flaccid paralysis. It has been known for a long time, and until the polio vaccine appeared, it claimed the lives of many babies.
The causative agent of the disease is resistant to almost any environmental conditions. It tolerates even very low temperatures and being in water, but is afraid of boiling, disinfectants and ultraviolet radiation.
Infection occurs in the oral-fecal way. The pathogen can enter the child's body from dirty hands if the baby played in the ground on the street. The virus can be found in drinking water or food.
However, the main ways of infection remain airborne and household, especially if there is a sick person nearby. A child can "catch" the virus while talking to him, when kissing him, after he sneezes or coughs.
Polio in children has the following symptoms:
- sore throat;
- nausea;
- cough;
- vomit;
- runny nose;
- headaches;
- temperature;
- tension in neck muscles.
During the incubation period, the disease does not manifest itself. Outwardly, the child seems he althy, but the virus is rapidly multiplying in his intestines. The duration of this state is 5-35 days.
Polio in children occurs in several stages:
- Preparalytic. This period lasts from 1 to 6 days. The disease begins abruptly, with the manifestation of all symptoms at the same time. Due to damage to the nervous system, the child may become immobile, it becomes painful and difficult for him to move independently. Around day 4-5, the temperature drops.
- Paralytic period. After temporary relief, the second stage begins. The temperature rises again, there are pains, confusion of thoughts. Then comes paralysis, which does not go away within 2-14 days. Most often, the child ceases to feel his limbs, less often - the torso. After that, the temperature drops, and the baby begins to recover.
- Recovery period. It usually takes a long time - from 3-6 months to 2-3 years. Within six months, the child's condition improves very quickly. Later this process slows down. With severe damage to the spinal cord by the polio virus, paralysis may be completely or partially preserved.
During the treatment period, the patient should definitely observe bed rest. Affected limbs must be constantly warm. It is recommended to take sedatives, vitamins of group B, and withsevere pain - painkillers.
Polio in children can also occur in a non-paralytic form. It manifests itself in the form of mild meningitis or fever.
There is also vaccine-associated polio. It is observed in children who have not yet had time or have not completed the full course of vaccinations (or if they did it incorrectly), it also happens if there is a defect in local immunity (directly in the intestines). It can be called the most dangerous complication after vaccination.
As a preventative measure, you must always keep your babies' hands clean, avoid swimming in polluted waters, do not eat unwashed foods and carefully protect them from flies, they can carry the virus on their paws.
