ACUTE POLIOMYELITIS (POLIO)

Poliomyelitis and its symptoms: -Poliomyelitis (polio) is a highly infectious disease caused by a virus. It invades the nervous system, and can cause total paralysis in a matter of hours. The virus enters the body through the mouth and multiplies in the intestine. Initial symptoms are fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, and stiffness in the neck and pain in the limbs. One in 200 infections leads to irreversible paralysis (usually in the legs). Among those affected, 5%–10% die when their breathing muscles become immobilized.

Signs: - Different clinical signs are,

1-Equina 2-Cavus 3-Varus 4-Valgus5-Knee flexor deformity6-Hip flexor deformity

Management:-

A. Medical management :
1 - Total bed rest
2 - Symptomatic treatment

B. Surgical management: It depends on the part involved and the % deformity.

C. Preventive management:
1 - Counseling with parents
2 - Polio vaccinations
3 - Organizing seminars at district level

D. Rehabilitation measure :
1 - To provide post-operative necessary therapy like physiotherapy, occupational therapy, etc.
2 - To give them training as per their capabilities.
3 - To look for suitable job placements.

E. Research and Education measures: Polio Foundation is in negotiation with Govt. of Gujarat for organizing door to door inquiry at the district places to find out polio affected children, their line of treatment and surgical results. This will certainly help to study and to eradicate polio as such from the society, community and state. Also, delivering seminar to district places to educate society as such for preventive aspects of poliomyelitis.

INFRASTRUCTURE:

The following infrastructure is ready to deliver all the services under one roof.
1. Consulting room               (2 unit)
2. Counseling room              (1 unit)
3. Physiotherapy room          (1 unit)
4. In patients rooms              (3 unit)
5. Operation theatre              (2 unit)