Yes, people with polio can breathe. However, the disease often causes weakness of the muscles that support the lungs, which can make it difficult to draw a breath or to exhale completely. As a result, some people with polio can experience breathing problems such as difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, and fatigue.
In addition, polio can cause long-term breathing problems, including damage to the diaphragm, which can lead to respiratory failure.
Can you breathe with polio?
Yes, you can still breathe with polio, although it can cause difficulties in breathing. Polio is an infectious disease that attacks the nervous system, resulting in weakening and sometimes paralysis of the muscles in the body.
It mainly affects children under the age of 5 and can cause permanent disability and even death if not treated quickly. The most common symptom is paralysis of the muscles used in breathing, which can lead to difficulty breathing and even complete paralysis of the diaphragm.
In more severe cases, an iron lung may be needed to provide mechanical support to help the person breathe. Treatment usually focuses on treating the paralysis and weakness of the muscles, followed by physical and occupational therapy to help build strength in the affected muscles and improve mobility.
With proper treatment and a supportive care team, people with polio can still live relatively normal lives.
Does polio stop breathing?
No, polio does not stop breathing. Polio (poliomyelitis) is an infectious disease that affects the nervous system and can cause paralysis, usually in the legs and arms. While it can cause respiratory problems such as difficulty in breathing and trouble swallowing, it does not actually stop a person from being able to breathe.
The paralysis is caused by the damage that the virus does to the connections between the brain and the muscles. In the most severe cases, the muscles that control breathing can be affected, but this is very rare.
There are treatments such as mechanical ventilation which can help the patient breathe, but this is only necessary in the most serious cases. In terms of preventing polio, vaccination is the best way to stop it from spreading.
How long do polio survivors live?
Due to advances in medical science, there is no definitive answer to this question. It depends on the severity of the case, other underlying medical conditions, and how early the treatment and post-polio rehabilitation was given.
Generally speaking, individuals who survived poliomyelitis are living active and full lives up to and beyond 70-80 years of age, with few post-polio sequelae. Many elderly persons were likely infected with the virus in childhood and have gone on to enjoy long and healthy lives, living in their own homes and maintaining an active lifestyle with minimal assistance.
The prognosis for survivors of poliomyelitis may also be affected by the quality and duration of post-polio rehabilitative, medical, and supportive care, as well as the survivor’s age at the onset of the disease.
The sooner treatment and rehabilitative care are given, the better the prognosis, and longer life expectancy.
Despite advances in technology and medicine, many polio survivors will still experience physical or mental disability due to the virus, but this does not necessarily have an impact on life expectancy.
With proper medical care and support, survivors are living and enjoying satisfying lives, regardless of whether they have some type of lasting disability.
What are the chances of surviving polio?
The chances of surviving polio depend greatly on the severity of the disease and the medical care that is provided. In cases of severe polio, the disease can be fatal or cause permanent paralysis or disability.
In less severe cases, the chances of full recovery are much higher. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 95% of children and adults affected by polio experience a full recovery, with no paralysis and minimal residual disability.
With access to quality healthcare, the survival rate is even higher. Vaccination is widely available and recommended to prevent infection from the virus, which is the best way to reduce the chances of contracting the disease.
How does polio cause death?
Polio is a highly contagious virus that primarily affects children under the age of five, and is spread through contact with the saliva or feces of an infected person. The virus attacks the central nervous system and can cause paralysis.
In some cases, it can lead to death.
When a person is infected with the polio virus, it can travel to the brain and cause inflammation. This inflammation can cause brain damage, and the paralysis associated with it can cause respiratory failure and make it difficult to clear secretions from the lungs.
This can cause chest infections, which can lead to difficulty breathing and, eventually, death.
Polio can also cause bulbar paralysis, which affects the throat muscles responsible for swallowing and speaking, leading to difficulty swallowing liquids and food. This can lead to malnutrition and, combined with other complications, can lead to death.
Finally, as polio is a virus, an infected person’s body can be overwhelmed by the virus and its effects, leading to death. It is also possible that even after recovery, there may be permanent nerve damage or other health issues that can leave a person predisposed towards other serious infections or other diseases – such as pneumonia or bronchitis – that can lead to death.
What happens if you survive polio?
If you survive polio, the road to recovery can be long and difficult. Many people will have permanent impairments, such as muscle weakness, joint stiffness, and difficulty breathing. Additionally, some survivors may suffer from post-polio syndrome decades after their initial infection.
Symptoms of post-polio syndrome include fatigue, muscle weakness, joint pain, and balance issues. In some cases, people may need breathing assistance. Physical therapy, braces or wheelchairs, or medication may be recommended to assist in recovery.
Even when full recovery is not possible, people who survive polio can live full and productive lives with the right support and treatments. With the right adaptive techniques, survivors can do nearly anything they set their minds to, including participating in sports and physical activity.
Education and awareness of the disease—as well as of the ways to support people with disabilities—is also essential for helping survivors lead successful lives.
