Definition:
Infantile paralysis is the old name for the disease poliomyelitis (or polio). It is an infectious disease transmitted from one's saliva or feces, and it can lead to paralysis and muscle dystrophy.
Diagnosis:
Polio can be diagnosed by means of physical and medical examination.
Treatment:
There is no exact treatment for infantile paralysis. A vaccine is available to protect people from the virus and it has been effective in reducing the number of polio cases. Those afflicted by the disease meanwhile can undergo speech therapy as well as physical and occupational therapies to keep their muscles from total degeneration.
Symptoms and Signs:
Persons with the disease begin to exhibit symptoms such as headaches, fever and flu. Eventually they experience extreme muscle pain that leads to weakness and immobility. They also lose control of their voluntary muscle functions such that they resort to seizures and drooling.
Causes:
Infantile paralysis is caused by the polio virus. The virus thrives in unsanitary places such as sewers and can be transmitted from one person to another through contact with one's saliva or feces.
The information on this site is for research purposes only and can not substitute for the advice of a medical professional. Ailments.com is not run by doctors and does not engage in the practice of medicine. Our site is not a medical authority, it is just a research tool for you to use in preparation for consulting with a doctor. We can not guarantee our information is accurate or up to date. Even if a statement made about a medical condition is accurate, it may not apply to you or your symptoms, so you should always consult a doctor. Nothing on our site should be construed as an attempt to offer or render a medical opinion or otherwise engage in the practice of medicine.
