Poliomyelitis in children. How does the disease occur?

Poliomyelitis in children is more likely to occur before the age of 10 years. This is an acute viral disease that affects the cells of the brain and spinal cord, which causes flaccid paralysis. It has been known for a long time, and until the polio vaccine appeared , many babies were killed.

The causative agent of the disease is resistant to almost all environmental conditions. It tolerates even very low temperatures and stay in water, but is afraid of boiling, disinfectants and ultraviolet.

Infection occurs orally-fecal way. In the body of the child, the pathogen can get from dirty hands if the baby played in the ground on the street. The virus can be found in drinking water or food.

However, the main methods of infection remain airborne and household, especially if the patient is nearby. The child can "pick up" the virus during a conversation with him, at a kiss, after his sneezing or coughing.

Poliomyelitis in children has the following symptoms:

• Sore throat;
• nausea;
• cough;
• Vomiting;
• Coryza;
• headache;
• temperature;
• Tension in the muscles of the neck.

During the incubation period, the disease does not manifest itself. Outwardly the child seems healthy, but in his intestines there is a rapid multiplication of the virus. The duration of this condition is 5-35 days.

Poliomyelitis in children occurs in several stages:

1. Preparalytic. This period lasts from 1 to 6 days. The disease begins abruptly, with the manifestation of all the symptoms at the same time. Because of the defeat of the nervous system, the child's lack of mobility can be observed, it becomes painful and difficult for him to move independently. Around 4-5 days the temperature drops.
2. The paralytic period. After a temporary relief, the second stage begins. The temperature rises again, pains, confusion of thoughts. Next comes paralysis, which does not go away within 2-14 days. Most often the child ceases to feel his limbs, less often - the trunk. After that, the temperature decreases, and the baby starts to recover.
3. Recovery period. Usually it takes a lot of time - from 3-6 months to 2-3 years. Within six months the child's condition improves very quickly. Later this process slows down. With severe damage to the spinal cord virus, paralyzes can be fully or partially preserved.

During the period of treatment, the patient should always observe bed rest. Affected limbs should be kept warm. It is recommended to take sedatives, vitamins of group B, and for severe pain - anesthetics.

Poliomyelitis in children can also occur in a non-paralytic form. It appears as a light meningitis or fever.

Vaccine-associated poliomyelitis also exists. It is observed in children who have not had time or have not completed the full course of vaccinations (or if they did it incorrectly), also this happens when there is a defect of local immunity (directly in the intestine). It can be called the most dangerous complication after vaccination.

As a preventive measure of the disease, you should always keep the children's hands clean, avoid bathing in contaminated water, do not eat unwashed foods and carefully protect them from flies, they can carry the virus on their paws.