Category: SCIENCE BLOG

Description:-POLIOMYLITIS
Definition:-Poliomyelitis is a virus infection. It is primarily an infectious disease of the human alimentary tract, but may affect the brain, spinal cord & nerves resulting in paralysis.
Polio does not always cause paralysis.
Epidemiological factors:-
(1)Agents:- The causative agents is polio virus which has 3 serotypes designated as type1, type2& type 3. Type 1 is responsible for all major epidemics.
(2) Sources of infection:– Faeces mostly in young children
–Pharyngeal secretions
(3)Age:- The majority of cases contract polio between 1&2 years.
(4) Environmental conditions:– Overcrowding , poor sanitation,
rainy season, rural& urban areas.
(5) Mode of transmission:– Faecal-oral route by contaminated
Water,food or flies.
–Droplet infection from nasopharynx
(6)Incubation period:- 7-21 days (range 3-35 days)

Clinical Features:- 90% of cases are asymptomatic , about 8 % suffer from mild illness ,& 1-2 % are severely affected.
Other symptoms:-
• Fever
• Headache
• Diarrhea& vomiting
• Drowsiness
• Pain, weakness & stiffness of neck & back
• Paralysis of affected limb
Diagnosis Investigations:-
• Serological testing for polio viral antibiotics.
• X-ray
• Physical examination
Prevention:-
(1)Polio can be prevented by active immunization of all infects & children.
(2) The vaccine widely used is oral polio vaccine (OPV) which is a Sabin type of vaccine.
(3)It can also be administered soon after birth.
(4)Hot milk & hot fluids should not be given for at least half an hour after the administration.
(5)Recent studies indicate that breast feeding does not impede the effectiveness of OPV.
(6) Breast milk can be given whenever the child Hungary.
(7) A point of great importance is that polio vaccine should be stored at sub – zero temperature in a deep freeze to prevent inactivation.
Strategies for polio eradication in India:-
(1) Conduct pulse polio immunization days every year until poliomyelitis is eradicated.
(2)Sustain high levels of routine immunization coverage.
(3)Monitor OPV coverage at district level & below
Key Words:-
(1) Pulse polio
(2) Vaccine
(3)Paralysis
(4)sign & symptoms
(5)faecal route

DESCRIPTION:-
INTRODUCTION- plague epidemic had been a cause of many deaths in the world. In Bhagwat Purana and Bible also, plague is described as an epidemic.
This is also called ‘black death’. The bacteria’s are responsible for the disease pasteurella pastis. This spreads through the bite of fleas which gets the infection from sick rates. Fleas are found on rates and rodents.
EPIDEMIOLOGICAL FACTORS –
• Bacteria are found on wild rodents like rates, carnivorous animals, and in other smaller animals.
• In India source of plague is wild rodents. But the fleas living on rates are the fleas living on rates are the main source of plague against the disease.
• Along with infected rates and fleas, pneumonic plague patients are also responsible for the spread of the disease.
• Plague is transmitted by direct contact with the tissues of infected animals.
• Disease spreads more in winter. During heavy rain the rat holes are destroyed and the chances of spreading of plague becomes less.
INCUBATION PERIOD- This depends upon the type of plague and may range from 1 to 7 days.
CLINICAL MENIFESTATION- Three types of plague are found in humans:
 Bubonic plague
 Pneumonic plague
 Septicaemic plague
The beginning of bubonic plague is sudden with fever, shivering and headache. Face and eyes turn red and person feels extremely tired. Pain and swelling develop in all the lymph glands especially in the thigh.
This plague does not spread from one person to another because infection is locked in buboes and they cannot get out.
DIAGNOSISTIC TESTS-
• Smear examination of secretion of glands, fluids and sputum.
• Blood culture.
• Serum examination
COMPLICATION-
Intensive bleeding, pneumonia, toxicity, death
MANAGEMENT-
 Controlling the disease through early diagnosis, notification and isolation is the primary necessity in the management.
 Streptomycin is given.
 Tetracycline is also given.
 Control of fleas.
 Use plague vaccines.
 Health education.
 Prevention.