What is Polio?
- Polio (also known as poliomyelitis) is an illness that causes sudden weakness/lameness of the limbs.
- The polio virus affects mostly children below Five years.
- The polio virus can be transmitted easily from one person to another.
Prevent Polio
- Polio can be prevented by immunization with administration of polio drops at birth, 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks, 18 months & 5 years of age.
Polio Knowhow
- Polio causes sudden weakness or inability to use a leg and arm.
- In children who are too young to walk, the mother may notice that one of the legs or arms appears floppy & weak.
Community Participation
- Community members and parents can help by immediately reporting any child who develops weakness of either an arm and/or leg (without any injury), to the nearest clinic or hospital
- When a patient with such weakness is taken to hospital, tests are done to ensure it is not polio
- All parents and care givers must take their children to the clinic for polio drops at appropriate age
Remember
- Polio can be prevented
- A deformity caused by polio cannot be reversed – it is there for life.
- A child is fully protected against polio if he/she gets all prescribed vaccine doses at the correct ages.
- Immunisation is free at all Public health facilities.
- Immunisation is the most precious gift that we can give to our children.
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For further information please contact your nearest hospital, primary health care centre or clinic.
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