Symptoms of poliomyelitis in children

Poliomyelitis is one of the most insidious infectious diseases that affects children most often, and very often very early - before they are 5 years old. Since it can cause spinal paralysis and lead to disability, and there is no specific treatment for this disease, vaccination is mandatory. But if suddenly you did not have time to make it to your child or the vaccine did not work completely and the child picked up the virus, it is important to know what the first signs of poliomyelitis in children are. After all, this disease is treacherous and carefully disguised.

The most important signs of poliomyelitis in children

The disease has two main forms: paralytic and non-paralytic. In the latter case, the very first symptoms of poliomyelitis in children are usually:

• strong weakness;
• migraine;
• Muscle pain - relaxation or, conversely, the tension of the muscles of the back and neck;
• a sharp increase in temperature, sometimes up to 39-40 degrees, which lasts up to 3 days and longer;
• pain in the larynx;
• vomiting and nausea;
• a decrease in appetite.

The paralytic form of poliomyelitis is unfavorable. Then the pain in the back and limbs is replaced by the paralysis of the individual muscles of the neck, trunk or arms and legs.

The symptoms of poliomyelitis in children under one year are similar to those described above, but they have their own peculiarities. So, sometimes they get cough and runny nose, the baby becomes listless and apathetic. Also, signs of poliomyelitis in children up to a year include seizures. With insufficient speedy care, they can even lead to death.

Sometimes this disease is vaccine-associated. Signs of poliomyelitis in children after vaccination are, in addition to the already mentioned symptoms, a sharp decrease in muscle tone, up to paralysis. After this, motor and muscle activity begins to recover, but complete regeneration may never occur.