Every thing you want to know about Poliomyelitis

Poliomyelitis (Infantile Paralysis) 

Definition of Poliomyelitis:

- acute infectious disease characterized by changes in the CNS which may result in pathologic reflexes, muscle spasm & paresis or paralysis.

-Disease of the lower motor neurons.

 Etiologic Agent: polio virus (Legio debilitans)

Incubation Period of Poliomyelitis:

7 to 21 days for paralytic cases with a repeated range of 3 to 35 days.

Period of Communicability:

·         first 3 days to 3 months of illness

·         Most contagious during the first few days of active disease, & possibly from 3 to 4 days before that.

Mode of Transmission of Poliomyelitis:

·         Direct contact with infected oropharyngeal secretions & feces

·         Person to person transmission through healthy carriers

·         Indirect through contaminated articles & flies, contaminated water, food & utensils.

Diagnostic Procedures of Poliomyelitis:

·         Throat swab

·         Stool culture throughout the disease

·         Culture from the CSFModalities of Treatment Modalities of Treatment

·         Analgesics to ease headache, back pain & leg spasm

·         Moist heat application to reduce muscle spasm & pain

·         Bed rest is necessary

·         Paralytic polio requires rehabilitationNursing Management Nursing Management

·         Carry out enteric isolation.

·         Observe patient carefully for signs of paralysis & other neurologic damage

·         Perform a neurologic assessment at least once a day

·         Check blood pressure regularly

·         Watch for signs of fecal impaction due to dehydration & immobility.

·         Prevent the occurrence of bed sores.

·         Wash hands after every contact with patient.

·         Apply hot packs to affected limb to relieve pain and muscle shortening.

·         Dispose excreta & vomitus properly.

·         Provide emotional support both to patient & family.

·         Maintain good personal hygiene, oral & skin care.