THE polio, also known as Infantile paralysis, is a disease more common in children, but it can affect adults. the virus of polio it enters our body through contaminated food and also through contact with the saliva of someone who is sick.
The symptoms of this disease are very mild, such as headache, sore throat, fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and constipation, but there are cases where people do not have any type of symptoms. Whether or not you have the symptoms of polio, the person will eliminate the virus in the feces, which can contaminate other people, especially in places where basic sanitation conditions are not adequate.
People who live in places where basic sanitation is poor are more likely to become infected with this virus
If the person is infected with the virus of polio, runs a serious risk of this virus falling into the bloodstream and entering the central nervous system. Once in the central nervous system, the virus attacks the motor nerve cells that attach to the spinal cord, killing them and causing paralysis, especially in the lower limbs.
The polio virus attacks the cells of the central nervous system, causing atrophy, especially in the lower limbs.
There is no specific treatment for polio, but it is necessary that the patient maintain complete rest, to reduce the chances of paralysis. Some medications are only used to treat symptoms such as fever and pain.
The best way to prevent this disease, which can cause death, is through vaccination. The vaccine against the virus of polio is part of basic vaccination schedule of the Federal Government, as a measure to eradicate polio in our country. This vaccine is given to children up to five years of age.
There are two types of vaccines against the virus of the polio: the oral vaccine, called Sabin, which is made from attenuated virus of the disease, and which is offered free of charge at health centers; and the injectable vaccine, called Salk, which is produced from dead viruses, and is offered only in private clinics.
Through vaccination we can keep polio far away from our homes.
By Paula Louredo
Graduated in Biology
