Prevention
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How can Polio be prevented?
There is no cure for polio, it can only be prevented. The simplest way to prevent and eradicate polio is by immunising every child (children under 5 are the most vulnerable to the virus) with an Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) or an Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV). In 1955, the Polio vaccine was created by Dr Jonas Salk who became a national hero for his life changing discovery - the first safe and effective polio vaccine.
This vaccine will eventually wipe out the disease, all around the world. These vaccines need to be given multiple times to completely prevent polio and protect a person for life. Improved sanitary and personal hygiene conditions are also a large factor that contribute to a person's vulnerability of catching the disease.
In the past, when sanitary conditions were poor, children were affected at a very young age and they were often able to defeat polio, aided by their mothers anti-bodies within their bloodstream. But when children were exposed a later age, they were often more vulnerable to polio and a more severe form of it, due to lack of maternal protection.
Hyperlink to informative website: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/diseases/poliomyelitits
There is no cure for polio, it can only be prevented. The simplest way to prevent and eradicate polio is by immunising every child (children under 5 are the most vulnerable to the virus) with an Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) or an Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV). In 1955, the Polio vaccine was created by Dr Jonas Salk who became a national hero for his life changing discovery - the first safe and effective polio vaccine.
This vaccine will eventually wipe out the disease, all around the world. These vaccines need to be given multiple times to completely prevent polio and protect a person for life. Improved sanitary and personal hygiene conditions are also a large factor that contribute to a person's vulnerability of catching the disease.
In the past, when sanitary conditions were poor, children were affected at a very young age and they were often able to defeat polio, aided by their mothers anti-bodies within their bloodstream. But when children were exposed a later age, they were often more vulnerable to polio and a more severe form of it, due to lack of maternal protection.
Hyperlink to informative website: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/diseases/poliomyelitits
What is the treatment for Polio?
Once a person has been infected with Polio there is no cure. Vaccinations for people who are not infected can have an IPV or OPV. These vaccines are only 90% effective, after two injections but 99%, after three. For people who are already infected with polio there are treatments that aim to alleviate the effects and manage the symptoms. These treatments consist of:
- antibiotics for bacterial infections
- medications to relieve pain and reduce muscle spasms
- ventilators to assist with breathing.
- Bed rest
- Moderate exercise (physical therapy) to prevent deformity and loss of muscle function