What is Polio: You too must have drank two drops of polio medicine in childhood. Polio medicines have been being administered door-to-door across the country for decades. This medicine is given to young children so that they can be protected from the disease called polio. Polio is called Poliomyelitis in medical language. This is a dangerous disease caused by poliovirus, due to which the spinal cord of children gets infected and some parts of the body become paralyzed.
Polio disease occurs most in children below 5 years of age. Polio vaccination in our country was started in the year 1995 and the World Health Organization (WHO) declared India polio-free in the year 2014. World Polio Day is celebrated every year on 24 October with the aim of eliminating polio and promoting vaccination. Today, on this special occasion, let us know some important things related to polio from the doctor.
According to Dr. Meghna Panchal, Pediatric Consultant, Fortis Hospital (Greater Noida), polio is a viral infection, which is caused by poliovirus. Due to this disease, weakness occurs in the muscles and the condition of paresis starts developing. Its symptoms are visible from bottom to top. When children are affected by this virus, they are unable to get up, stand properly, or walk. However, India has become polio-free and the last confirmed case of polio was reported in West Bengal in 2011. However, if any such infection is still seen in children, then polio screening is done for them.
Can adults get polio?
Dr. Meghna Panchal says that children younger than 5 years of age are most at risk of polio. However, adults can also fall prey to it. People living in places where there is a lack of sanitation are at risk. Pregnant women are also at risk because the immunity of women is compromised during pregnancy. Many times, children born in the womb of pregnant women can get this disease. Polio infection can spread from one person to another. You can also become a victim of this disease by coming in contact with contaminated things. The Polio virus can also spread through dirty water. To avoid this, it is very important to maintain cleanliness.
How to prevent polio disease?
According to Dr. Meghna Panchal, polio can be prevented through vaccination. Nowadays, children are given polio vaccine after birth and given polio medicine. Even though India has become polio-free, there may still be wild poliovirus in our environment and it is very important to protect against it. Children should get the polio vaccine so that they can be protected from this virus. Apart from this, if weakness or any other symptoms are seen anywhere in the muscles or body of the child, then immediately consult a doctor and get checked. If polio is treated at the right time, it can be prevented and treatment at the right time will prevent lifelong paralysis. However, carelessness regarding polio can also result in death.
PC Social media
