World Polio Day 2022
Every year on October 24th, World polio day is celebrated globally to create and raise awareness for polio vaccination and the eradication of polio. It was established by Rotary International to honor the birth of Jonas Salk, who headed the first team to create a polio vaccine. The theme of celebrating this year is "World Polio Day 2022 and Beyond: A healthier future for mothers and children."
To create awareness, let's discuss polio, its symptoms, transmission, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
What Is Poliomyelitis?
According to the World health organization (WHO), Poliomyelitis, sometimes known as polio, is a highly contagious viral disease mainly caused by the poliovirus. This virus is transmitted mostly from person to person through the fecal-oral route or contaminated water and food. It invades the central nervous system and can result in paralysis (can't move body parts or weakens arms and legs). It primarily affects people with compromised immune systems, pregnant women, and young children under the age of five.
Watch Out For The Following Symptoms Of Polio
- Sore throat
- Fever
- Tiredness
- Nausea
- Headache
- Stomach pain
- Meningitis (an infection of the brain or spinal cord's covering)
- Paralysis (inability to move parts of the body) or weakness in the legs and arms
Transmission Of Polio
Polio is transmitted by coughing, sneezing, or coming in contact with an infected person's feces (fecal-oral route). It can spread through:
- Not washing your hands after using the restroom or changing diapers.
- Droplets from an infected person's coughing or sneezing.
- Being in close contact with a polio patient.
- Touching infected objects or surfaces.
- Consuming contaminated water or food
- Swimming in contaminated water
Polio Diagnosis
Polio infection can be diagnosed by performing a physical examination, obtaining a detailed medical history, including information on any recent vaccinations and travel, collecting samples (throat swab, stool, urine, blood, and spinal fluid), and getting an MRI to examine the spinal cord. Poliovirus is most likely to be detected in stool samples.
Polio Treatment
Still, now there is no known cure or treatment for polio. Polio-related arm or leg weakness can be treated with physical or occupational therapy, which may also enhance long-term effectiveness. If your breathing muscles are weakened or paralyzed, you will require mechanical ventilation, which is a machine that assists you in breathing.
How Can I Prevent Polio?
Polio vaccination is the most effective method of polio prevention. Usually, vaccinations are given to children. There are two polio vaccines: inactivated and oral polio (live-attenuated) vaccines. Inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) is injected into the leg or arm based on the patient's age. Since the year 2000, IPV only has been used in the United States. The oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) is still widely used in many parts of the world.
Recommended polio vaccination schedule: Children receive their first dose of the polio vaccine at two months old, their second dose at four months, their third dose between six and eighteen months, and their booster dose between four and six years old. Children who have not completed their polio vaccine or who have not received all recommended doses should begin as soon as possible. Adults who have never had the polio vaccine should get three doses of IPV. The first dose can be taken whenever you like, the second dose is given one to two months later, and the third dose is given six to twelve months following the second dose.
Vaccinate, Let's End Polio
This world polio day 2022, spread the word among people to learn about polio, its transmission, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Educate your friends and family about the importance of polio vaccination because there is no cure or treatment for Poliomyelitis. On this international polio day, get your kids to get vaccinated and make our nation a polio-free nation.
‘‘Fight Polio, For A Better Tomorrow’’
