We all know that there is a dangerous, deadly virus taking over the world and we also know it’s horrible habits and all it’s symptoms. We all probably HATE this virus, and of course, why wouldn’t we? This virus has claimed lives and destroyed others too! But imagine if the coronavirus could paralyse you or get you stuck inside a tube… Now that would be horrible. Well, let me tell you that there was once such a virus and that it still exists. Let me introduce you to the Polio Virus.
Now, before we start let me remind you that the virus wasn’t that serious, only paralysing 0.5% of its victims. Also note that only 2-5% of children died and only 15-30% of adults. So calm down, you are safe. There is a vaccine for polio, this vaccine was made in 1955 by Dr. Jonas Salk, and also oral vaccines which are now used more often. On the right you can see an oral vaccine being poured in a young girl’s mouth.
One final thing, it is unlikely that you have polio so don’t freak out if you have some of the symptoms, polio has been rare after vaccines were made for it.
Symptoms and diagnosis:
Many people who get polio usually are not aware of it because of the lack of symptoms, however the virus does have some symptoms. These symptoms go away within a period of time, such as 2-10 days but in some cases, according to WHO, the virus can cause permanent paralysis to the legs.
Non-paralytic polio:
This is a type of polio which does not lead to paralysis. It’s symptoms are similar to a flu. Here are few of the symptoms:
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Back pain or stiffness
- Neck pain or stiffness
Paralytic polio:
This is a really serious form which can paralyse you. The first symptoms are similar to the non-paralytic polio but after a while more unique symptoms occur, here is a list:
- Loss of reflexes
- Severe muscle ache or weakness
- Loss and floppy limbs (flaccid paralysis)
Post-polio syndrome:
These symptoms usually happen after polio due to complications. Some of the symptoms are:
- Muscle wasting
- Decreased tolerance of cold temperatures
- Breathing or swallowing problems
- Sleep-related disorders
Causes:
This virus is mostly passed through by direct contact with someone infected with the virus or although it is less common, through food and water. The virus can also be transmitted by faeces in areas with poor hygiene and bad sanitation. People with no symptoms can also pass on this virus, they just won’t know they have it.
Treatment:
The poliovirus has no treatment. You could get vaccinated for the virus and that will decrease the chances of you getting the virus dramatically but only if the vaccination is given multiple times. However, you are given some aids to help you through your recovery such as pain relievers, portable ventilators and physical therapy.
Example of a form of therapy: Iron Lung
The iron lung was a form of therapy used when the virus had begun to infect more and more people. Note that this tool was made in 1920. Modern iron lungs were created to make up for the shortage of ventilators during the coronavirus outbreak but besides this urgent need for ventilation, iron lungs are not used for polio anymore because of advanced forms of therapy and the lack of polio contamination.
The main function of the iron lung is to assist a patient whilst breathing. When people get polio there was a chance that the muscles on their chest would be paralyzed and this led to breathing becoming hard or even impossible.
The iron lung had a very interesting method of helping the person inside the tube to breath. For a patient to inhale, all the air inside the machine would be forced out, causing a vacuum and expanding the abdomen. This would help the air outside of the cylinder-shaped machine to enter the mouth and nose and eventually enter the lungs. When the patient has to exhale, the air inside the iron lung is compressed, forcing the patient’s abdomen to partially collapse. This leads to the oxygen being forced out of the body and then exhaled outside of the iron lung. This cycle is repeated to help the patient breathe.
The person using the iron lung would insert their body in the tube-shaped machine and just have their head sticking out. In both photos you can see a mirror above the area where the head should be. This would help the patient see what’s around/behind them easily.
Most patients just needed the iron lung for a short period of time whilst others needed it for a longer period of times. If you are curious you can search ‘Iron lung’ and you can watch some actual interviews of people currently in the iron lung.
Conclusion:
Polio was horrible, in its peak reaching 58,000 cases in the US and more than 3,000 deaths, this virus was no joke. But these numbers are much better than the amount of covid-19 cases. So before I end this article, I must ask you, yes you, to wear your mask so we can destroy this virus just like we destroyed polio many years ago.
Bibliography:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/polio/symptoms-causes/syc-20376512
https://www.who.int/health-topics/poliomyelitis#tab=tab_2
