Possible Causes of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Polio

Theories abound concerning what actually caused the polio of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, fondly referred to as FDR. What is not debatable, is the fact that in 1921, the U. S. was experiencing frequent outbreaks of polio.

In August of that year, FDR was enjoying a vacation with his family, at their summer home on Campobella Island, in New Brunswick, Canada. While on a yacht with his sons, they joined in an effort to put out a local forest fire. It was an exhausting day of battling the flames. Some rumors suggest that he fell off the yacht into the chilly Bay of Fundy, while other accounts say he took a cold swim to cool off. It is also reported that he spent most of the evening lounging in his wet swimsuit, and felt like he was coming down with a cold, as he headed to bed.

The next morning, his legs would not support him, and in the time frame of about 24 hours, he was paralyzed from the waist down. It took about a week to diagnose his condition as poliomyelitis. He was 39 years old.

Other contributing factors may include a stressful summer in Washington, and a trip to a Boy Scout camp, where many children were in attendance. During that time, polio was predominantly a children's disease that could not be prevented, and even worse, could not be cured. Many frantic parents kept their children out of movie theaters, swimming pools, and even schools. At that time, the average polio victim was under the age of fifteen, though there were some adult cases.

Therefore, Roosevelt was not the typical age to contract polio, but the virus seemed unconcerned with his age, rendering him permanently crippled, and never again regaining the use of his legs. He often wore steel braces so that he could stand with support, and was rarely photographed in his wheelchair, because in those days, to be disabled as a president, was seen as a weakness. (Very tragic and unfair, but true.)

Polio is a virus that can strike quickly, as it did with Roosevelt. It enters the body through the nose or mouth, and then progresses toward the intestines, where it incubates. Some people experience flu-like symptoms, including headache, nausea, fever, and vomiting. Others may have no symptoms at all, and yet still be contagious. The virus can be passed on to others during this stage, even if the person feels fine. Infection can spread through the air, water, or food.

Fortunately, for many people, once the virus goes into the bloodstream, the body will make antibodies against the germs, and this will create a lifetime immunity. Only 10% of those infected actually have symptoms, and only 1% go on to exhibit the paralyzing form of polio.

As mentioned, FDR was permanently paralyzed. Once this occurs, there is no cure, though physical therapy is helpful for muscle pain and stiffness. Some victims of the disease were affected with spinal problems, while others were afflicted with paralyzing lung problems. Many people were forced to spend the rest of their lives in huge iron lungs.

Roosevelt helped to form the grassroots organization called the March Of Dimes, which funded research for a cure. Dr. Jonas Salk developed the first vaccine in 1952. However, the original vaccine had problems, actually causing 260 cases of polio, and 10 deaths. These problems were alleviated by completely inactivating the virus, and the vaccine became highly effective, with an 80-90% protection rate.

In 1957, Bruce Sabin developed a live, oral vaccine (with the infectious part of the virus not active.) It was administered in sugar cubes, and available for public use in 1963. (As a child, I remember receiving these sugar cubes.) Both vaccines have pros and cons with regard to safety and cost.

Roosevelt not only had a brilliant political career, (becoming President of the U. S.), but he also led the battle against this terrifying disease, making sure that the public was well educated, and that research was adequately funded and promoted, in order to create an effective vaccine. Polio has virtually been eradicated in the U.S., with the exception of those who may have been infected in another country.

For the rest of his life, FDR was involved in the fight against polio. He founded the Little White House in Warm Springs, Georgia where polio victims could receive therapeutic rehabilitation in the warm mineral waters. We owe a lot to Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who played a very instrumental part in enabling researchers to find a cure for polio.

Sources: http://www.trivia-library.com/a/president-franklin-d-roosevelt-early-life-career-and-polio.htm
http://www.accessexcellence.org/AE/AEC/CC/polio.php
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/health/jan-june05/polio_4-12.html