Symptoms of polio

Symptoms of polio include fever, sore throat, weakness, muscle pain, and in severe cases paralysis or difficulty breathing. If you have related symptoms, especially signs of paralysis, you should seek medical attention immediately. The severity of different symptoms is related to the breadth and location of the virus invasion.

1. Early symptoms of mild cases

Initial polio infection often presents similarly to the common cold, with fever, sore throat, fatigue, loss of appetite, headache or vomiting as the main symptoms. This condition is usually non-paralytic, affecting only the initial stage of the virus' spread without affecting the motor nerves. Parents need to watch for these common symptoms to worsen and observe whether the child has muscle discomfort, such as slight pain or stiffness in the limbs.

2. Warning signs of early paralysis

If the virus enters the nervous system, it can cause more obvious discomfort. Common symptoms include severe pain in the back or leg muscles, stiffness, and limited neck movement. At the same time, some children may show unusual fatigue and be reluctant to walk or move. The child's condition must be closely monitored during this stage because paralysis may occur suddenly afterwards.

3. Main manifestations of paralysis

The paralysis stage is the most serious stage of polio, characterized by symmetrical or asymmetrical paralysis, especially in the legs. Children may lose the ability to move certain muscles or even develop respiratory muscle paralysis, leading to breathing difficulties and life-threatening risks. In this case, they need to be taken to the hospital immediately and may require mechanical ventilation.

4. Long-term sequelae or slow recovery

After recovering from polio, some patients may be left with sequelae such as muscle atrophy or joint deformities that affect daily activities. Patients with long-term sequelae need a combination of physical therapy and rehabilitation training to alleviate limb dysfunction. Orthopedic surgery may also be helpful in some cases.

Early identification of polio symptoms is critical. Once suspected symptoms are found, medical treatment should be sought as soon as possible and intervention measures should be taken. In daily life, vaccination can effectively prevent this virus infection and establish a safety barrier for children.