What causes polio and how to treat it

Polio is caused by infection with the poliovirus, which is transmitted through oral ingestion of contaminated food or water, affecting the nervous system and causing muscle paralysis. Treatment includes vaccination, supportive care, and rehabilitation.

1 Causes of infection:

The main cause of polio is polio virus infection, a highly contagious virus that is spread through contaminated water, food, and droplets. After infection, the virus enters the human body through the digestive tract and invades the nervous system, causing damage to the anterior horn motor neurons of the spinal cord, and eventually causing related symptoms. This damage is irreversible, so prevention is particularly important. It is recommended to ensure that children's drinking water is hygienic and avoid close contact with suspected patients.

2 Environmental factors:

Poor sanitation is an important reason for the high incidence of polio. For example, contaminated water and unclean food may carry the virus. Seasonal peaks are usually in summer and early autumn when the virus is more likely to spread, especially among children. Parents are advised to pay special attention to improving their children's personal hygiene awareness during the peak period, such as washing hands frequently and avoiding excessive social contact.

3. Vaccine prevention:

The oral polio vaccine OPV and the inactivated polio vaccine IPV recommended by the World Health Organization are the best means of preventing polio. Newborns need to be vaccinated at the time specified by the country after birth, which can effectively stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies, thereby blocking the chain of virus transmission. Children who have not been vaccinated should be arranged for booster shots as soon as possible.

4 Treatment and rehabilitation:

There is currently no specific drug for polio, and treatment is mainly supportive treatment of symptoms. Antiviral and anti-inflammatory treatments can be used in the acute phase to reduce damage; rehabilitation training, such as physical therapy, electrical muscle stimulation, and the use of orthotics, is required in the later stages to restore limb function as much as possible. Severe patients may require surgical procedures, such as tendon transfer or joint correction, to improve the mechanical function of the limbs.

Although polio is no longer a high incidence worldwide, once it occurs, it may have a lifelong impact on the child and the family. Regular vaccination, attention to food hygiene, avoiding contact with high-risk groups, and taking prompt intervention measures after the disease occurs are key. If parents find that their children's limbs are abnormally weak, they should seek medical attention as soon as possible and receive appropriate treatment to reduce the long-term damage caused by the disease.