What do you know about polio in children?

Polio is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus. If parents do not give their child polio vaccination, the child is likely to get the disease and lead to a lifelong disability.

Usually, polio in young children does not appear asymptomatic. A few have only mild symptoms. Viruses are the most common because of their ability to attack the nervous system and cause polio. Although it is now completely possible to prevent this disease with a vaccine, you should not be subjective. On the World Polio Day (October 24), join aFamilyToday Health to learn more about this disease.

The cause of polio in young children

Poliovirus is caused by poliovirus. There are 3 types of virus and they are spread through contact with infected stool. This usually happens when a child is not washing their hands or washing their hands incorrectly. It can also be caused by eating foods containing viruses. In addition, polio in young children also comes from the baby receiving the virus in the air when someone else coughs or sneezes. The virus stays in the child's feces for several weeks. Children are most contagious right before and after symptoms start.

The risk of young children getting polio

A child is at higher risk of developing polio if he or she is in an area with active polio virus. Polio is no longer a concern now, but you always keep in mind because underdeveloped countries in Asia have little access to polio vaccine. If you are traveling in a rural area or a foreign country, be careful because your child might come into contact with infected friends.

Signs of polio in young children

Most children with polio have no symptoms. This is called an untreated infection, and other types include:

Abortive: Mild polio does not last long

Nonparalytic: This situation will take place in a short time

Paralytic: This condition will cause a few serious signs as well as a major impact on your baby's health

Although different from one child to another, common signs of polio include:

Fever

Not good

Nausea and vomiting

Sore throat

The body is uncomfortable

Constipation

Abdominal pain.

Symptoms sometimes go away, but soon after, your child also begins to show symptoms like:

Muscle pain in the neck, torso, arms, and legs

Stiffness in the neck and along the spine

Weakness in all muscle areas

Severe constipation

Weak breathing

Wheezing voice

Difficulty swallowing

Drooling

Annoyed and angry.

Most children with paralytic paralysis should be able to function normally after a while, but death still occurs.

Diagnosis of polio in young children

To determine if your baby has the disease, your baby will be tested for:

Virus: The doctor can take a sample of stool and fluid from the throat. Viruses extracted from these samples are then examined through a microscope

Check the blood

Lumbar spinal cord.

Direction of support

There is no medicine to kill the virus that causes polio but treatment given to help support your baby's recovery includes:

Pain relievers such as acetaminophen

Rest in bed until fever subsides

A healthy diet

Limit physical activity 

Use a hot compress to relax muscles.

Complications of the disease

Polio in young children can cause certain complications such as permanent paralysis of certain muscle groups such as the legs, arms or muscles used for breathing.

Prevent polio

The best defense against polio is vaccination. Currently, in addition to oral form , the vaccine against polio is in the synthetic vaccines Pentaxim and Infanrix hexa. You can have your baby vaccinated when he or she has:

2 months

4 months old

6 - 12 months old

4 - 6 years old

Also, get your child a booster shot before 12 months if you plan to take your child overseas to travel to a high-risk area.