PROJECT

Polio- By Caroline Muraguri & Faith Efada

WHAT IS POLIO?

Poliomyelitis is an acute viral infection. It involves the gastrointestinal tract and

the nervous system.

HOW IS IT TRANSMITTED?

It is transmitted through oral-faecal and oral transmission.

The virus lives in the mouth and the intestinal tract.

It enters through the mouth if the hands are contaminated by stool of an infected person.

Utensils used for eating can also help spread the virus.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Symptoms appear in 7-14 days after exposure to the virus.

A few days before and after the symptoms start are the most contagious.

Many people who are infected show no symptoms.

Others have only few such as: headaches, tiredness, fever, stiff neck, back and muscle pain.

S & S CONT.

Serious health problems occur when the nervous system is affected.

The muscles affected are those used for swallowing and breathing.

Paralysis of the arms and the legs or trunk result when the nerves in the spinal cord are affected.

WHERE IS IT MOST COMMONLY FOUND? Most of the cases today are reported

from Asia and Africa.

DIAGNOSIS

Polio is diagnosed through a blood test and a culture.

COMPLICATIONS

Paralysis mostly of the legs. Paralysis of the muscles controlling

swallowing and breathing. Oral vaccine can cause paralysis but it is

rare.

EXTENSIVE PARALYSES

CONTINED.

Children who suffer from extensive paralysis

usually end up dying before reaching adult hood.

Moderately severe paralysis- weakness of the limbs but eventually are able to move about with a little assistance.

Type 1-severe disability-Might have a chance to walk.

Cont.

Type 2 severe disability- will need a great deal of assistance.

Type 3 severe disability- the damage is too extensive and there is no hope of ever walking again.

APPLIANCES.

Elbow crutches, wheel chairs, walking frames and bed modifications.

TREATMENT

Polio has no treatment.

THE IRON LUNG.

Used in the 1940s and 50s during the epidemic in U.S. and Europe.

Those whose respiratory muscles were affected were held immobile by “iron lungs.”

These were cylindrical metals that regulated their breathing.

Positive pressure ventilators are used today.

DIAGRAMS.

IRON LUNGS. POSITIVE PRESSURE VENTILATOR.

PREVENTION

Polio can be prevented through vaccinations.

Two types: Oral polio vaccine & inactivated polio vaccine.

OPV- is made with a live but weakened virus.

IPV- is given by injection- not as effective as OPV.

VACCINES AND ALLERGIES.

IPV-can cause redness and pain though nothing serious has been reported.

Should not be administered to a person who had severe anaphylactic reaction to previous dose, or to streptomycin.

VACCINES AND PREGNANCY.

No known adverse effects but vaccination should be avoided unless absolutely necessary.

HISTORY OF POLIOMYELITIS

Said to have first occurred 6000 years ago. Evidence from withered and deformed limbs of mummies.

WORKS CITED

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_lung http://www.astdhpphe.org/infect/polio.html http://www.polioeradication.org/disease.asp http://www.worldortho.com/database/polio/ Poliomyelitis-A guide for developing

countries-including appliances and rehabilitation for the disabled.