World Polio Day - How Can Polio Be Prevented?

The World Polio Day is observed every year of the 24thof October to spread awareness about the devastating effects of Polio. The main aims are educating people about the virus and how it can be prevented.

What Causes Polio?

Polio or Poliomyelitis a severely infectious viral disease that can be fatal, especially because there is no treatment available for the condition. It is a virus that can paralyze the nervous system. The most common modes of transmission are through faecal matter that makes its way into food and water as well as direct contact with an infected individual. The best way to prevent contracting polio is through immunisation according to the norms of the National Immunization Schedule.

Once the virus enters a body through the nose and mouth it will rapidly multiply and the blood and lymphatic system through the intestinal walls. It takes anywhere between a week and two weeks from the time of contracting the infection before the symptoms become apparent.

Whom does it affect?

Poliovirus can affect and at all ages. However, as infants, children, older people, pregnant women, and those with lower immunity are more susceptible to contracting a polio infection. People with autoimmune disorders such as HIV and cancers also fall under this high-risk spectrum.

How to prevent Polio?

The most effective way to prevent contracting Polio is to be immunized. Since the virus can infect at all ages, vaccination is recommended for all children the first dose of 2 drops of the vaccine is gives at birth, orally. Three booster doses are given at 6 weeks, 10 weeks and 14 weeks after birth, orally. Another booster dose is administered between 16 weeks and 24 weeks of age. Two drops or 2ml is administered in each of these doses. Vaccination is also recommended for children travelling to certain countries.

The Polio vaccine is a live vaccine and can potentially infect an unimmunized person coming into contact with a patient who recently received the oral polio vaccine. Adults working with polio patients or in chemical laboratories exposed to the virus must get booster doses at regular intervals. In case any person had received the initial doses of the vaccine, they can take the remaining boosters at any point in their lifetime.

This virus can only spread from human to human by direct or indirect means. Not receiving the various doses of the polio vaccine puts an individual at the highest risk factor of contracting the poliovirus infection. As there is no cure available and treatment is only supportive, the government has put in place elaborate Polio eradication programs where immunization is available free of cost.