What deficiency does polio cause and symptoms of polio?

1. What deficiency does polio cause?

Polio itself does not directly cause a nutritional deficiency, but it can lead to physical disabilities, particularly paralysis, which may indirectly contribute to deficiencies due to reduced mobility and access to food. However, the main issue caused by polio is "muscle weakness or paralysis", primarily in the legs, and in severe cases, it can affect muscles involved in breathing or swallowing.

''Polio can result in the following conditions";

1. "Muscle Atrophy";

    Paralysis and muscle weakness can lead to muscle wasting (atrophy) due to disuse.

2. "Respiratory Complications";

    the virus affects the muscles responsible for breathing, it can lead to respiratory failure or difficulty        breathing, requiring interventions like ventilators.

3. "Post-Polio Syndrome"; 

    Decades after recovery from the initial polio infection, some individuals develop post-polio                    syndrome, characterized by progressive muscle weakness, fatigue, and joint pain.

   Though polio doesn't cause a specific deficiency like a lack of vitamins or minerals, the resulting             paralysis can impact a person’s ability to maintain a balanced diet, especially if they have difficulty         swallowing or lack access to proper care due to immobility. This could, in turn, lead to malnutrition       or deficiencies in some cases.

2.What are the symptoms of polio in children?

Polio symptoms in children can range from mild, flu-like symptoms to severe paralysis, depending on the type and severity of the infection. 

"There are three forms of polio"; 

"abortive polio", "non-paralytic polio", and "paralytic polio", each presenting with different symptoms.

1. "Abortive Polio (Mild/Non-specific Polio)"

This is the most common and least severe form of polio, and it doesn't involve the nervous system.

[i]    Fever

[ii]   Fatigue

[iii]  Sore throat

[iv]  Headache

[v]   Vomiting

[vi]  Stomach pain

[vii] Diarrhea

2. "Non-Paralytic Polio"

In this form, the virus can cause symptoms that affect the central nervous system, but it doesn’t lead to paralysis.

[i]     Fever

[ii]    Headache

[iii]   Neck and back stiffness

[iv]   Muscle pain or tenderness

[v]    Fatigue

[vi]   Nausea

[vii   Vomiting

[viii] Sensitivity to light (photophobia)

[ix]   Pain or stiffness in arms and legs

3. "Paralytic Polio (Severe Form)"

This is the most serious form and can lead to permanent paralysis or even death in severe cases. Paralytic polio occurs in a small percentage of infected individuals (about 1%).

[i]    Sudden onset of weakness or paralysis (often in the legs, but it can also affect other parts of the               body)

[ii]   Loss of reflexes

[iii]  Severe muscle pain or spasms

[iv]  Muscle weakness or atrophy (wasting away of muscles)

[v]   Difficulty breathing (if respiratory muscles are affected)

[vi]  Difficulty swallowing

"Progression of Symptoms"

[i]  In "mild cases", the symptoms might resolve within a few days to a week without serious                        complications.

[ii] In "paralytic polio", the early symptoms can resemble non-paralytic polio but then rapidly progress        to paralysis, which may be permanent if the nerve damage is severe.

Important notice : If you notice any symptoms of such a disease, you should definitely consult a doctor so that you can be treated. Do not try to find solutions at home