NOTE: This message was originally in conference "INTERNET - E-MAIL AREA"
      and was copied here by Tom Mckeever.
From: Marti Whiting 
To: Multiple recipients of list POLIO 
Date:         Sun, 3 Mar 1996 15:24:24 -0500
Subject:      polio 2x
 
I thought that you all might be interested in what one of my "old" nursing
books had to say about having polio more than once.  This is quoted directly
from Brown, Amy F., "Medical and Surgical Nursing II" W.B. Saunders Company
1959.
 
"Incidence:  Some authorities state that as high as 80 per cent of the
population in this country has had poliomyelitis at some time, which was not
recognized and which left no residual paralysis. ......It is thought that
probably one case in about a hundred cases becomes paralyzed."
 
Under symptoms it describes the difference between minor illness and major
illness.
"Minor Illness:  These brief illnesses are commonly seen during epidemics of
poliomyelitis, usually last only 24 hours, and are more frequent in children
than in adults.  Clinical manifestations include fever, headache, vomiting,
listlessness, and sore throat.  The minor illness may be followed by signs of
paralytic or nonparalytic poliomyelitis or may represent the entire case of
the disease."
 
"Major Illness:  This term relates to both paralytic and nonparalytic
poliomyelitis.  Lesions have developed within the central nervous system to
an extent sufficient to cause neurologic symptoms.  If there is a sudden
onset, fever, vomiting, and a severe headache commonly occur.  These symptoms
may be accompanied by pain in the extremities.  Soreness and stiffness of the
neck, back, and hamstring muscles become prominent early..........About half
the patients with major illness have paralytic poliomyelitis."
 
"Spinal Paralytic Poliomyelitis:  This is the classic form of poliomyelitis.
 The clinical diagnosis becomes definite with the presence of flaccid
paralysis.  In the order of frequency, the muscles most commonly paralyzed
are those of the legs (by far the most frequent), arms, back, thorax, face,
intercostal region, and diaphragm."
 
"Bulbar Poliomyelitis:  This, the most serious form of poliomyelitis, occurs
in 10 to 20 per cent of paralytic patients in an epidemic.  These are the
cases in which cranial nerve nuclei are involved.  Weakness of the pharynx
and vocal cords resultsin an inability to swallow or to talk clearly, and
sometimes in regurgitation of fluids through the nose.  Some patients have
symptoms and signs indicating involvement of the automatic centers of the
medulla, particularly the respiratory center.  Respiratory failure may
progress rapidly."
 
"In 1949, three different poliomyelitis viruses were identified: Type I,
Brunhilde; Type 2, Lansing; and Type 3, Leon.  A typeing program, completed
in 1951, revealed that all the numerous "strains" of poliovirus belonged in
one or another of these three types.  the diseases they cause can not be
distinguished by symptoms, and all are called poliomyelitis.  Infection by
one virus type, however, confers immunity only against itself.  It is,
therefore, possible to have paralytic poliomyelitis twice, or even three
times, from infection by the different virus types."
 
So, Ruth, even though you are in the minority, you definitely could have had
more than one poliovirus.  What it doesn't say in the book is how differently
you could be affected by having more than one poliovirus.
 
For everyone else, it is very interesting to reread all of the information
known at that time and realize that it applies to me.  If any of you are
interested in specific areas, let me know and I will see if this nursing book
contains anything for you.
 
Marti
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