Final answer:
Polio treatments focus on supportive care rather than eradication of the virus, with physical therapy as one of the key measures to assist recovery. Antibiotics do not play a role in treating this viral infection. Vaccination is crucial for prevention but is not a treatment for those already infected.
Step-by-step explanation:
Treatments for polio include pain-relieving medication, physical therapy, and artificial ventilation. Physical therapy is a supportive treatment used to help patients regain movement and strength after the acute phase of the illness. Unlike treatments for bacterial infections such as tetanus, where antibiotics like metronidazole or penicillin are used, polio being caused by a virus does not respond to antibiotics. Therefore, while antibiotics are integral in treating certain infections, they are not part of polio treatment. The focus on management for polio includes supportive care such as pain relief, rest, heat therapy for muscle spasms, physical therapy and corrective braces as needed, and mechanical ventilation when necessary.
It is important to note that polio vaccination plays a crucial preventive role but is not a treatment for an existing polio infection. Historical measures for dealing with polio outbreaks, such as iron-lung wards, are no longer common thanks to the widespread use of effective vaccines. The introduction of the Salk and Sabin vaccines dramatically reduced the incidence of polio worldwide and continue to be essential in preventing the disease.