Polio Transmission: How Do You Get Infected and Prevention Methods

A viral disease is poliomyelitis. It causes an infection of the nerves, the spinal cord, and occasionally the brain, resulting in partial or total paralysis. The poliovirus is what causes the illness of poliomyelitis. This virus spreads by direct contact between people, contact with infected mucus from an infected child's mouth or nose, and contact with infected feces, typically through contaminated water. How do you get polio? This question often arises when seeking information about the transmission of polio. In this article, we will discuss how polio spreads, how we get affected, the symptoms you can identify, and many more, so continue reading to prevent yourself from the disease.

What is polio?

The disease that causes polio (poliomyelitis)is poliovirus. Most people only have minimal or no symptoms, but in just a few percent of cases, it might result in death or paralysis. Poliovirus comes in three forms: wild poliovirus types 1, 2, and 3 (WPV1, WPV2, and WPV3). Only a few regions of the world still contain wild polio type 1, while wild polio types 2 and 3 have been eliminated (no longer exist). Paralysis is probably to result from type 1 polio.

How do you get polio?

Contact with contaminated feces is the main way to contract the poliovirus. However, it can also be contracted by close contact with an infected person who might be infectious for weeks without showing symptoms and can transmit the virus through their feces.  Polio is so infectious that it will likely spread to everyone who lives near someone who has just been afflicted.  The poliovirus may persist outside of the human body for weeks, so it can also spread through tainted water and food.  Because of these factors, it is more likely to spread in areas with inadequate infrastructure, subpar sanitation, and crowded living circumstances. Young children are at a higher risk of infection than adults. When the immune system weakens, such as if you are extremely young, old, or pregnant, your infection risk increases. Having the tonsils removed or having another immune-compromising illness like HIV may raise your chances of contracting polio.

What are the types of polio?

Depending on the parts of the body that the virus targets and replicates in, polio can have various effects on you. The following types of polio:

• Abortive poliomyelitis- Abortive poliomyelitis manifests as intestinal and influenza-like symptoms. It doesn't have long-lasting effects and lasts a few days.
• Non-paralytic poliomyelitis- Aseptic meningitis, a brain swelling, may result from non-paralytic poliomyelitis. It results in more signs than intermittent poliomyelitis and can necessitate a hospital stay.
• Paralytic poliomyelitis- When the poliovirus affects the brain and spinal cord, paralytic poliomyelitis results. The muscles which enable people to breathe, speak, swallow, and move their limbs can become paralyzed by it.
• It is referred to as spinal polio or bulbar polio, depending on which areas of your body are afflicted. Bulbospinal polio is a combination of bulbar and spinal polio. 
• Only 1% of polio survivors develop paralytic poliomyelitis.
• Polioencephalitis A rare form of polio that primarily affects newborns is polio encephalitis. The brain swells as a result.
• Post-polio syndrome When polio symptoms reappear years after initial infection, it is known as post-polio syndrome.

What are the symptoms of polio?

People with poliovirus can still infect others and transmit it without showing symptoms.

Non-paralytic polio

Non-paralytic polio symptoms and signs might linger for one to ten days.  Meningitis, a fever, a sore throat, a headache, nausea, and tiredness. Abortive polio is another name for non-paralytic polio.

Paralytic polio

Paralytic polio can occur in around 1% of cases of polio. Paralysis caused by paralytic polio affects the brainstem, spinal cord, or both (bulbospinal polio). Non-paralytic polio has many of the same initial symptoms. But after a week, the symptoms will get worse. These signs consist of:

• Decline in reflexes.
• Significant muscular aches and spasms.
• Slack and flabby limbs, occasionally only on one side of the body.
• Abrupt paralysis, either short-term or long-term.
• Stems with abnormalities, particularly the hips, ankles, and feet.

Complete paralysis seldom occurs. Permanent paralysis occurs in fewer than 1% of cases of polio. Between 5 and 10 percent of those with polio paralysis will die because the virus attacks their breathing muscles.

Post-polio syndrome

Even after you have healed, polio might come back. After 15 to 40 years, this can happen. The following are typical signs of post-polio syndrome (PPS):

• Persistent weakening in joints and muscles.
• The muscular ache worsens.
• Getting quickly worn out or weary.
• Muscular atrophy is another name for muscle wasting.
• Difficulty eating and breathing.
• Sleep breathing issues are often known as sleep apnea.
• Limited ability to withstand cold conditions.
• Newly developing muscular weakness in previously unaffected areas.
• Depression.
• The memory and focus issues.

How is polio transmitted?

The fecal-oral transmission mode for polio involves coughing, sneezing, or contact with an infected person's feces (poop). It may do so by:

• Not washing hands immediately after using the restroom or handling waste (such as changing diapers).
• Getting it in your mouth or drinking contaminated water.
• Consuming food that has come into contact with polluted water.
• Dipping one's feet in tainted water. When someone with diarrhea swims in water, the water might become polluted.
• Sneezing or coughing.
• Being near a polio sufferer.
• Interacting with infected surfaces.

What is the risk of polio?

People who contract polio are typically among the most vulnerable members of society, as is the case with many other viral illnesses. This includes individuals who are extremely young, expecting mothers and those whose immune systems have been gravely compromised by other medical disorders. Anyone without the polio vaccine is particularly at risk for developing the disease. Additional polio risk factors are as follows:

• Traveling, especially to Pakistan and Afghanistan, where polio is prevalent.
• Being near a polio patient.
• Being immune system weak.
• Polio is more likely to harm pregnant women, but it doesn't seem to impact the unborn child.
• Working in a facility that keeps live polioviruses.

How can you Prevent polio?

The major method of polio prevention is vaccination. But there are other ways to stop the spreading of this deathly disease, like:

• Avoiding any food or drinks that may have been infected with the poliovirus.
• Confirming with a doctor that your immunizations are up to date.
• Ensuring that you obtain any more vaccination doses that may be needed.
• Regularly wash your hands.
• Ensuring that only clean hands are used to contact the mouth, nose, or eyes.
• Coughing or sneezing while covering the mouth.
• Avoiding intimate contact, such as kissing, hugging, and sharing utensils with sick persons.

Faqs-

Conclusion- 

The polio virus often spreads to the environment through infected people's feces. The virus can easily be disseminated in places with inadequate sanitation through feces in the water supply or by touching food. In addition, because of the virus' high contagiousness, polio can spread through direct contact with an infected individual. Even if they have not yet manifested symptoms, poliovirus carriers can transmit the disease through their feces for weeks. Common indications and symptoms include overall weariness, muscular atrophy, depression, sleep, and respiratory issues, gradual muscle weakening and coordination issues, and cognitive issues, including memory loss. Always check with your doctor if you have any symptoms, and get vaccinated as prior.neuro