Medical Care

No antivirals are effective against polioviruses. The treatment of poliomyelitis is mainly supportive.

Analgesia is indicated in cases of myalgias or headache.

Mechanical ventilation is often needed in patients with bulbar paralysis.

Tracheostomy care is often needed in patients who require long-term ventilatory support.

Physical therapy is indicated in cases of paralytic disease. In paralytic disease, provide frequent mobilization to avoid development of chronic decubitus ulcerations. Active and passive motion exercises are indicated during the convalescent stage.

Fecal impaction is frequent in cases of paralytic disease and can be treated with laxatives as soon as it develops.

Surgical Care

Total hip arthroplasty is a surgical therapeutic options for patients with paralytic sequelae of poliomyelitis who develop of hip dysplasia and degenerative disease.^[18]

Consultations

See the list below:

Physical therapist and rehabilitation therapist
Pulmonologist
Neurologist
Immunologist
Infectious diseases specialist

Diet

Because patients with poliomyelitis are prone to develop constipation, a diet rich in fiber is usually indicated.

Medication

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Media Gallery

The typical contractures of postpolio residual paralysis.

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Author

Benjamin Estrada, MD Professor, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, University of South Alabama College of Medicine, University of South Alabama Children's and Women's Hospital

Benjamin Estrada, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Mary L Windle, PharmD Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Larry I Lutwick, MD, FACP Editor-in-Chief, ID Cases; Moderator, Program for Monitoring Emerging Diseases; Adjunct Professor of Medicine, State University of New York Downstate College of Medicine

Larry I Lutwick, MD, FACP is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, American College of Physicians, American Federation for Clinical Research, American Society for Microbiology, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Infectious Diseases Society of New York, International Society for Infectious Diseases, New York Academy of Sciences, Veterans Affairs Society of Practitioners in Infectious Diseases

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Russell W Steele, MD Clinical Professor, Tulane University School of Medicine; Staff Physician, Ochsner Clinic Foundation

Russell W Steele, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association of Immunologists, American Pediatric Society, American Society for Microbiology, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Louisiana State Medical Society, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, Society for Pediatric Research, Southern Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

Leonard R Krilov, MD Chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and International Adoption, Vice Chair, Department of Pediatrics, Winthrop University Hospital; Professor of Pediatrics, Stony Brook University School of Medicine

Leonard R Krilov, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Pediatric Society, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.