What are the symptoms of post-polio syndrome?

We are all relatively familiar with the disease of polio. The onset of this disease is very rapid, and many parents are caught off guard, fearing that it will leave sequelae. If not treated in time, it will lead to paralysis. So what are the symptoms of polio sequelae? The following experts will give you a detailed introduction, hoping it will be of help to you.

The incubation period of this disease is 5 to 14 days. It can be clinically divided into several types: ① latent infection. ② abortive type. ③ non-paralysis type. ④ paralysis type.

1. Prodromal stage

The main symptoms are fever, loss of appetite, sweating, irritability and systemic hyperesthesia. Nausea, vomiting, headache, sore throat, constipation, diffuse abdominal pain, rhinitis, cough, pharyngeal exudate, diarrhea, etc. can also be seen, which lasts for 1-4 days. If the disease does not progress, it is a setback type.

2. Early stage of paralysis

1 to 6 days after the prodromal symptoms disappear, the body temperature rises again, headache, nausea, vomiting are severe, the skin becomes red, there is a temporary bladder sphincter disorder, stiffness and burning pain in the posterior cervical muscles, trunk and limbs, and constipation is common. Physical examination shows: ① Tripod sign: when the patient sits up, he needs to support his body position with his hands on the bed like a tripod. ② The kiss-knee test is positive, that is, the patient's lips cannot touch the knees when he sits up and bends his neck. ③ The head drop sign appears, that is, when the hand is placed under the patient's shoulder and the trunk is lifted, the head is parallel to the trunk in a normal person. If the condition stops here, the fever will subside after 3 to 5 days, which means there is no paralysis type. If the condition continues to develop, tendon reflex changes often appear 12 to 24 hours before paralysis. Initially, it is a shallow reflex, and then deep tendon reflex inhibition. Therefore, early detection of reflex changes has important clinical diagnostic value.

3. Paralysis

Paralysis usually occurs on the 3rd or 4th day of the early stage of paralysis when the body temperature begins to drop, and gradually worsens. When the body temperature returns to normal, the paralysis stops developing and there is no sensory impairment. It can be divided into the following types:

(1) Spinal cord type: This type is the most common. It is characterized by flaccid paralysis, asymmetry, loss of tendon reflexes, and decreased muscle tone. The lower limbs and large muscle groups are more likely to be affected than the upper limbs and small muscle groups. However, only a single muscle group may be affected or all four limbs may be paralyzed. For example, when the neck and back muscles, diaphragm, and intercostal muscles are affected, there will be difficulties in combing the hair and sitting up, respiratory movement disorders, and paradoxical breathing.

(2) The medullary type is also called the bulbar type. It is caused by the invasion of the motor nuclei of the cranial nerves and the respiratory and circulatory centers of the medulla oblongata. This type accounts for 5%-10% of the paralysis type. When the respiratory center is damaged, irregular breathing and apnea occur. When the vascular motor center is damaged, there may be changes in blood pressure and pulse rate. Both are fatal diseases. When the cranial nerves are damaged, corresponding nerve paralysis symptoms and signs appear, with facial nerve and Xth cranial nerve damage being the most common.

(3) Cerebral type: This type is rare. It is characterized by high fever, irritability, convulsions or drowsiness and coma, and upper motor neuron spastic paralysis.

(4) Mixed type: The above types exist simultaneously.

4. Recovery period

Paralysis begins to recover from the distal limbs and lasts for weeks to months. Generally, cases can recover completely within 8 months, while severe cases may take 6-18 months or longer.

5. Sequelae

In severe cases, the affected muscles atrophy and the nerve function cannot be restored, causing deformities of the affected limbs.

Treatment of polio.

The principles of treatment are to alleviate fear, reduce bone deformities, prevent and manage complications, and provide rehabilitation treatment.

1. Bed rest

The patient should stay in bed until the fever subsides for 1 week, and then avoid physical activity for at least 2 weeks. When lying in bed, use a footrest to keep the foot and calf at a correct angle to facilitate functional recovery.

2. Symptomatic treatment

Antipyretics, analgesics and sedatives can be used to relieve muscle spasms, discomfort and pain throughout the body. Apply moist heat every 2 to 4 hours for 15 to 30 minutes each time. Hot water baths are also effective, especially for young children, and have a synergistic effect when used in combination with analgesics. Mild passive exercise can prevent deformities.

3. Paralysis

(1) Correct posture: When lying in bed, the patient's body should be in a straight line, with the knees slightly bent. The hips and spine can be straightened with a board or sandbag, and the ankle joint should be at 90 degrees. Active and passive exercises should be performed immediately after the pain disappears to avoid bone deformities.

(2) Proper nutrition: A nutritious diet and plenty of water should be given. If sweating is caused by high ambient temperature or hot compresses, sodium salt should be supplemented. In case of anorexia, a gastric tube can be used to ensure food and water intake.

(3) Drug treatment: Drugs that promote nerve conduction function, such as dimethoate.

The above analysis of the symptoms of polio sequelae in the article are some clinical symptoms of polio. We must not ignore these symptoms. Severe cases of this disease can cause bone and muscle atrophy, or even paralysis, in children. Therefore, parents should pay more attention to their children's physical health in life.