Reviewed by Dr Angelica L Dumapit and Physician Brandon Yew on September 28, 2022

How To Best Protect Yourself Against The Polio Virus Outbreak

Published April 8, 2024| 7 min read

While polio remains incurable, managing its symptoms is possible with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) techniques. Dive into our guide to understand the polio virus, recognize its symptoms, and discover tips for optimal health protection.

11how to best protect yourself against the polio virus outbreak

Recent cases of paralysis in New York, London, and Jerusalem suggest that a Poliomyelitis virus outbreak has occurred. To date, only two confirmed cases of Polio virus have been identified.

However, the virus causes irreversible paralysis in fewer than one in 200 people who are at risk of infection, indicating that many more may possibly be infected.

Experts fear this could spread quickly, resulting in dangerous health effects for many as COVID-19 and monkeypox are also on the rise.

Read on to learn more about the Polio virus, how to identify symptoms, and tips to best protect your health.

What Is The Polio Virus?

The Polio virus does not cause symptoms in most people. In some, it can lead to paralysis or death.

Polio, also known as poliomyelitis, is an infectious disease caused by the Polio virus. Most people experience mild or no symptoms from the infection. However, it can cause paralysis, muscle weakness, and even death in others.

The three variations of the virus are known as wild Polio virus types 1, 2, and 3. Types 2 and 3 no longer exist while type 1 is most likely to cause paralysis.

Additionally, there are several different types to be aware of:

Paralytic poliomyelitis: This occurs when the Polio virus attacks the spinal cord and brain, and cause paralysis of the muscles that allow you to speak, breathe, swallow, and control your limbs. The two sub-categories are called spinal and bulbar. Both types can occur together. This is known as bulbospinal poliomyelitis. Fewer than 1% of people with Polio virus will get this type.
Abortive poliomyelitis: A more mild form of Polio that causes flu-like and intestinal symptoms that only last a few days. This type doesn’t cause long-term issues.
Non-paralytic poliomyelitis: Symptoms may include aseptic meningitis or swelling of the brain area. This type of Polio virus may require you to stay in the hospital until treatment is done.
Polioencephalitis: This is a rare form of polio that causes brain swelling and mostly affects infants.

What are the symptoms?

Approximately 70% to 95% of people do not experience symptoms from the Polio virus. Among those with symptoms, the mildest form (abortive poliomyelitis) may cause intestinal and flu-like symptoms. Those infected with the most serious form, paralytic Polio, may experience paralysis.

Other symptoms of the Polio Virus may include:

Fatigue
Fever
Headache
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea or constipation
Sore throat
Neck stiffness and muscle spasms
Pain or tingling sensation in your limbs
Sensitivity to light or touch
Anxiety or trouble focusing
Seizures
Sleep apnea

How do you get it?

Polio virus is highly contagious. It spreads from person to person through sneezing or coming in contact with an infected person’s body fluids.

It can also spread by drinking or swimming in contaminated water, touching infected surfaces, or eating foods that a sick person touched.

How do you treat it?

There is no cure for the Polio virus. If you are diagnosed with paralytic Polio, you may need physical therapy. If you are having trouble breathing, you may be put on a ventilator. Vaccines can prevent infection from occurring.

Polio Virus Causes and Symptoms, According To TCM

Physical therapy may be needed in some cases to help improve muscle weakness.

We asked Senior Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Physician Brandon Yew to explain the Polio virus from a TCM perspective.

He stated that infection of the Polio virus depends on a person’s unique body constitution and varying specific imbalances, such as the kind of pathogens or type of Deficiencies present in the body.

Infections may be:

Asymptomatic
Mildly symptomatic that is flu-like, temporary, and self-limiting

Severely debilitating and even life-threatening, often resulting in paralytic sequelae

“Essentially, the more significant the imbalance of the person, the weaker his or her immunity, the greater the toll the virus will exact on the body. As such, there is no one standard formula to improve a person’s health and prevent polio infection,” Physician Yew stated.

TCM Ways To Manage Polio Virus

TCM remedies, such as herbal medication, acupuncture, cupping, guasha (scraping), moxibustion and tuina (Chinese manual therapy), can help manage poliovirus infection symptoms.

Herbal remedies

Below listed are some TCM herbal formulations that can help to enhance qi and blood circulation and unblock meridians:

Di Tan Tang
Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang

Tong Qiao Huo Xue Tang
Xiao Huo Luo Dan
Da Huo Luo Dan (more potent than Xiao Huo Luo Dan)
Bu Yang Huan Wu Tang
Di Huang Yin Zi

Additionally, you can purchase ready-made herbal supplements to help fight the flu-like symptoms of poliovirus, such as Kang Du Qing Fei pills. Other helpful supplements include:

Pure Chicken Essence: For muscle weakness and general fatigue
Bird’s nest: For respiratory health, immunity, and to recover from atrophy
Lingzhi: To help protect against neurological complications and mortalities that occur due to the high risk of poliomyelitis-like paralysis and brain inflammation

“Please always bear in mind that the herbal formulas provided above are meant for varying pathological states of paralytic polio, corresponding to different body constitutions, which are characterized by underlying specific imbalances. As such, it is strongly advised to not purchase any of them to self-medicate without first consulting a certified TCM professional. He or she will assess the patient’s unique body constitution and current medical state and advise accordingly,“ stated Physician Yew.

Acupressure

Acupressure is an easy self-help remedy you can do by placing fingers or a blunt object like a massage stick at certain acupoints and applying an appropriate amount of pressure to elicit a tolerable sensation of soreness or tenderness. At the same time, massage in both clockwise and anticlockwise circular motion 20 times each. Repeat for at least 3 minutes per acupoint.

On the back of the neck, slightly above the midpoint of the posterior hairline, below the spinous process of the 1st cervical vertebra.

Located on the back, 0.5 finger width lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra.

Located at the midpoint lateral to the border of the ala nasi, in the nasolabial groove

Find this point in the depression just above your sternal bone in front of your neck.

On the anterior median line of the chest, at the level of the 4th intercostal space, at the midpoint between the two nipples.

On the anterior median line of the upper abdomen, mid-point between the tip of the xyphoid process and the umbilicus.

You can find this on the back of the hand, between the thumb and index finger bones.

On the radial end of the transverse crease of the wrist, where the radial artery pulsates.

On the anterior aspect of the lower leg, 8 fingers breadth below the outer depression of the knee joint, two fingers-breadth from the anterior crest of the tibia.

Acupoints for Polio-induced sleep apnea and respiratory conditions:

Ya Men (DU15)
Ding Chuan (EX-B1)
Ying Xiang (LI20)
Tian Tu (RN22)
Dan Zhong (RN17)

Zhong Wan (RN12)
He Gu (LI4)
Tai Yuan (LU9)
Feng Long (ST40)

Located on the lower back, in the lower border of the spinous process of the 4th lumbar vertebra.

Above the knee, in the depression of the midpoint of the superior patellar border.

This point is located on the shin, four fingers-breadth below the knee joint.

Near the medial aspect of the lower leg, in the depression of the lower border of the medial condyle of the tibia.

Located on the back of the thigh in the depression between the hamstring muscle.

Located in the middle of the crease of the knee.

Located on the back of the lower leg in a pointed depression when leg is stretched or heel is lifted

On the inner lower leg, 4-fingers-breadth above the tip of the inner ankle bone, just behind the shin bone.

In depression midway between the tip of the medial malleolus and the attachment of the Achilles tendon, level with the tip of the medial malleolus.

On the dorsum of the foot, in the depression proximal to the 1st metatarsal space.

Acupoints for lower limbs muscle weakness and paralysis:

Yao Yan (EX-B7)
He Ding (EX-LE2)
Zu San Li (ST36)
Yin Ling Quan (SP9)

Yin Men (BL37)
Wei Zhong (Bl40)
Cheng Shan (BL57)
San Yin Jiao (SP6)
Tai Xi (KI3)

Tai Chong (LR3)

“Do take note that acupressure can only help to manage mild muscle weakness and paralysis. It is thus strongly recommended to seek professional help from a licensed TCM practitioner, who can perform acupuncture safely and effectively to provide a much stronger and more comprehensive therapeutic efficacy in tackling the actual root imbalances behind paralytic Polio. Do co-consult a neurologist, especially if the Polio symptoms persist and are of greater severity,” concluded Physician Yew.