Polio and Influenza

Date:6/17/2021 www. qadricohs.edu.pk FB Page: Qadri College of Health Sciences, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. 1
QADRI COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES, KARACHI
U-4, 5 OF
“HUMAN AND MICROBIAL INTERACTION”
By: Aftab H. Abbasi
RN, DCHN, BSN, MA, LL.B
Lecturer Nursing
Qadri College of Health Sciences Karachi

At the completion of this unit learners will be able to:
1- Describe some pathogenic microbes and diseases, i.e.
1- Tetanus
2- Typhoid
3- Cholera
4- Diphtheria
5- Tuberculosis
6- Pertusis
7- Mumps
8- Measles
9- Polio
10- Influenza
11- Ascariasis
12- Taeniasis and
13- dermatomycosis.

9- Polio
INTRODUCTION:
Poliomyelitis (polio) is
a highly infectious
disease that is caused
when a person is
infected by
the polio virus that
invades the nervous
system. Poliomyelitis
can cause paralysis
and even death.

9- Polio
DEFINITION:
Poliomyelitis is a highly
infectious viral
disease which
destructs the motor
neurons and damages
brain and spinal cord
and is characterized
by muscle weakness
and paralysis.

9- Polio
CAUSES:
The poliovirus spreads most often from fecal-oral
contact. Usually, this occurs from poor hand washing or
from consuming of contaminated food or water.
Sneezing or coughing also spreads the virus.
TRANSMISSION / ROUTES OF ENTRY:
Transmission person-to-person spread of poliovirus via
the fecal-oral route is the most important route of
transmission, although the oral-oral route may account
for some cases.
INCUBATION PERIOD:
The incubation period for poliomyelitis is commonly 6 to
20 days with a range from 3 to 35 days.

9- Polio
PATHOGENESIS:
(The manner of development of a disease)
- The mouth is the portal of entry of the virus.
- Primary multiplication of the virus occurs at the site of
implantation in the pharynx and gastrointestinal tract.
- The virus is usually present in the throat and in the
stools before the onset of illness.
- One week after onset there is little virus in the throat,
but virus continues to be excreted in the stools for
several weeks.
- The virus invades local lymphoid tissue, enters the
blood stream, and then may infect cells of the central
nervous system.
- Replication of poliovirus in motor neurons of the
anterior horn and brain stem results in cell destruction
and causes the typical manifestations of poliomyelitis.

9- Polio
COMMON RISK FACTORS:
- Age: Infants and elderly.
- Living with an infected person.
- Compromised immune system.
- Lack of immunization against polio.
- Extreme stress or strenuous activity.
- Travel to an area that has
experienced a polio outbreak.

9- Polio
SIGHN & SYMPTOMS:
(PATHOGNOMONIC SIGN): Flaccid paralysis, weakness or paralysis and reduced
muscle tone.
• Fever
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Vomiting
• Fatigue
• Back pain or stiffness
• Neck pain or stiffness
• Pain or stiffness in the arms or legs
• loss of reflexes
• Severe muscle aches or weakness
• Loose and floppy limbs (flaccid paralysis)

9- Polio
TESTS AND DIAGNOSIS:
- Virus Culture:
The laboratory diagnosis of polio is confirmed by
isolation of virus by cultures, from the stool or throat
swab or cerebrospinal fluid (rare). In an infected
person, the virus is most likely to be cultured in stool
cultures.
- Serologic test:
Acute and convalescent serum sample may be tested
for rise in antibody titer (antibodies to the poliovirus),
but the report can be difficult to interpret as in many
cases, the rise in titer may occur prior to paralysis.
- Cerebrospinal fluid test:
Infection with polio virus may cause an increased
number of white blood cells and a mildly elevated
protein level in cerebrospinal fluid.

9- Polio
COMPLICATIONS:
Paralytic polio can lead to
temporary or permanent
muscle paralysis,
disability, bone
deformities and death.
PREVENTION:
The most effective way
to prevent polio is
vaccination.

9- Polio
TREATMENT / MANAGEMENT:
- Treatment of pain with analgesics (such as acetaminophen).
- Antibiotics for secondary infections (none for poliovirus).
- Fluid Therapy
- Bed rest (until fever is reduced)
- Adequate diet
- Minimal exertion and exercise
- Hot packs or heating pads (for muscle pain).
- Prolong rehabilitation may be necessary including braces, splint or
surgery.
- Hospitalization (may be required for those individuals who develop
paralytic poliomyelitis).
- If the respiratory is involved, LONG-TERM VENTILATION is
necessary.
- Physiotherapy may be necessary.
- Place the child on firm mattress with support for feet, change
position frequently.
- Encourage oral intake of food and fluid.
- Catheterization of distended bladder may be necessary.

10- Influenza
INTRODUCTION:
Influenza is commonly referred to as flu as
an infectious viral disease caused by RNA
virus of the family ortho-myxoviridae (The
influenza virus) that affect bird and
mammals.
Although confused with other influenza-like
illness, specially the common cold,
influenza is a more severe disease.

10- Influenza
DEFINITION:
WHO: Influenza is a viral infection that
affects mainly the nose, throat, bronchi
and occasionally, lungs.
Infection usually lasts for about a week,
and is characterized by sudden onset of
high fever, aching muscles, headache
and severe malaise, non productive
cough, sore throat and rhinitis.

10- Influenza
SOURCE OF INFECTION:
- The source of infection usually is a case
or sub–clinical case.
- During epidemics, a large number of mild
and asymptomatic infections occur, which
play an important role in the spread of
infection.
- The secretions of the respiratory tract
are infective.

10- Influenza
RESERVOIR OF INFECTION:
It has become increasingly evident that a
major reservoir of influenza virus exists in
animals and birds. Many influenza viruses
have been isolated from a wide variety of
animals and birds (e.g. swine, horses, dogs,
cats, domestic poultry, wild birds, etc.)
Some of these include the major H and N
antigens related to human strains. There is
increasing evidence that the animal
reservoir provides new strains of the
Influenza virus by recombination between
the influenza viruses of man, animals and
birds.

10- Influenza
RISK FACTORS:
HOST FACTORS AGE AND SEX: Influenza affects all ages and
people of both sexes. In general, the attack
rate is lower among adults. Children constitute
an important link in the transmission chain.
high–risk groups in the population such as old
people (generally over 65 years of age),
infants under 18 months, and persons with
diabetes or chronic heart disease, kidney and
respiratory ailments.
INCUBATION PERIOD:
- Is about 18 to 72 hours.

10- Influenza
CAUSES / AGENT:
Influenza is caused by infection of the respiratory tract
with influenza viruses, RNA viruses of the
Orthomyxovirus genus.
SIGN AND SYMPTOMS:
- Symptoms begin 1-4 days after infection.
- The following symptoms of the flu can vary depending on
the type of virus, a person’s age and overall health:
- Sudden onset of chills and fever (101 – 103 F)
- Sore throat, dry cough
- Fatigue, malaise
- Terrible muscle aches, headaches, Dizziness
- Diarrhea

10- Influenza
PATHOGENESIS:
The virus enters the respiratory tract and causes
inflammation and necrosis of the superficial
epithelium of the tracheal and bronchial mucosa,
followed by secondary bacterial invasion.
DIAGNOSIS / TESTS:
- Viral culture
- Serology
- Rapid antigen testing, Antibody testing
- Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction
(RT-PCR)
- Immunofluorescence assays
- Rapid molecular assays.

10- Influenza
COMPLICATIONS:
The most dreaded complication is
pneumonia, which should be suspected if
fever persists beyond four or five days.
COMPLICATIONS IN CHILDREN:
The disease involves the CNS and the liver
and children exhibit symptoms of
drowsiness, persistent vomiting and
change in personality.

10- Influenza
PREVENTION:
The only proven method for preventing influenza is
a yearly vaccination approximately 2 weeks
before the “flu season” begins.
Healthy Habits to Help Prevent Flu:
• Avoid close contact. Avoid close contact with
people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your mouth and nose.
• Clean your hands.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Practice other good health habits.

10- Influenza
MEDICAL MANAGEMENT:
SUPPORTIVE:
-Isolation
-Oxygen therapy
-Intravenous hydration
-Symptomatic relief
-Critical care needs: ventilator, hemodynamic support.
ANTIVIRAL THERAPY
ADJUNCT THERAPY: PROPHYLACTIC ANTIBIOTICS

By: Aftab H. Abbasi
RN, DCHN, BSN, MA, LL.B
Lecturer Nursing
Qadri College of Health Sciences Karachi

Polio and Influenza

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

What's hot

What's hot (20)

Similar to Polio and Influenza

Similar to Polio and Influenza (20)

More from AFTAB H. ABBASI

More from AFTAB H. ABBASI (13)

Recently uploaded

Recently uploaded (20)

Polio and Influenza