What is polio?

With the improvement of people's awareness and the increase of national investment in recent years, the incidence of polio has been relatively low, but there are still some cases. In order to better prevent the occurrence of this disease, we must recognize the symptoms of polio. Only after knowing the symptoms of polio can we get better treatment. Let's learn about what polio is.

Clinical manifestations: The incubation period of this disease is 5 to 14 days, and 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. In the 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: tripod sign: when the patient sits up, he needs to support his body position with his hands on the bed like a tripod; the kiss knee test is positive, that is, the lips cannot touch the knees when the patient sits up and bends his neck; ③ The head drooping sign appears, that is, the hand is placed under the patient's shoulder, and when 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 shallow reflexes, and then deep tendon reflex inhibition. Therefore, early detection of reflex changes has important clinical diagnostic value.

3. Paralysis stage: Starting from the 3rd or 4th day of the pre-paralysis period, paralysis usually occurs when the body temperature begins to drop and gradually worsens. When the body temperature returns to normal, 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 cranial nerves and the respiratory and circulatory centers of the medulla oblongata. When the respiratory center is damaged, irregular breathing and respiratory arrest occur; when the vascular motor center is damaged, there may be changes in blood pressure and pulse rate, both of which are fatal. When the cranial nerves are damaged, corresponding nerve paralysis symptoms and signs appear.

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

(4) Mixed type, which is a combination of the above types.

4. Recovery period: paralysis begins to recover from the distal end of the limbs and lasts for weeks to months. Generally, cases can recover completely within eight months, while severe cases may take six to eighteen months or longer.

5. In the sequelae period, in severe cases, the affected muscles atrophy and the nerve function cannot be restored, resulting in deformities of the affected limbs. In some cases of partial paralysis, progressive neuromuscular weakness and pain occur decades after infection, and the paralysis of the affected limbs worsens, which is called "post-polio muscular atrophy syndrome." The cause is unknown.

Through the above article's detailed introduction to what polio is, everyone must have a clear understanding of the symptoms of polio. Therefore, parents and friends must pay more attention to their children's care and be very careful. Observe the growth process of their children. If there are any abnormalities, they should go for medical examination as soon as possible to avoid delaying the disease. Of course, it is best for us to take active prevention measures.