Treatment for poliomyelitis:

Specific treatment for poliomyelitis will be determined by your child's physician based on:

• your child's age, overall health, and medical history
• extent of the disease
• your child's tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
• expectations for the course of the disease
• your opinion or preference

While there is prevention of the poliovirus, there is no cure for children who become infected. Treatment is supportive. This means that the symptoms may be treated to improve your child's comfort and recovery. Treatment may include:

• treatment of pain with analgesics (such as acetaminophen)
• bed rest (until fever is reduced)
• adequate diet
• minimal exertion and exercise
• hot packs or heating pads (for muscle pain)
• hospitalization (may be required for those individuals who develop paralytic poliomyelitis)

Complications of paralytic poliomyelitis may include permanent paralysis of certain muscle groups including breathing muscles and leg muscles.