As a dad or mum, you will need to be sure your little one will get all the mandatory vaccines on time. One of the vital necessary is the polio vaccine to battle in opposition to poliomyelitis or polio. It’s a extremely infectious viral illness that largely impacts children beneath the age of 5. In accordance with the World Well being Group, the virus will get transmitted by person-to-person unfold. It majorly occurs by the faecal-oral route or contaminated water or meals after which the virus multiplies within the gut. From there, it may well attain the nervous system and result in paralysis. Although India completes 12 polio-free years in January this yr, you must know all the things about it to guard your little one. On the event of World Polio Day, which falls on October 24, allow us to inform you the indicators of polio in children.

Frequent indicators of polio in kids

Polio is a viral illness that assaults the nervous system. Listed here are some signs:

1. Fever

Youngsters can have fever attributable to many causes. Typically, it is because of climate change or having chilled meals or drinks. However at occasions, fever could be a signal of a well being downside. Youngsters with polio typically develop a excessive fever, which is often one of many first signs, says Dr R.D. Srivastava, Senior Guide and Head of Division, Pediatric and Neonatology, Sri Balaji Motion Medical Institute, New Delhi.

Youngsters ought to be vaccinated in opposition to polio. Picture Courtesy: Shutterstock.

2. Fatigue

Youngsters are typically lively and vitality. They run round and prefer to play video games outdoor. But when they expertise basic weak spot and get drained simply, try to be cautious.

3. Headache

Headache will be brought on by many issues, together with ice cream or frozen meals. Seems, polio may also trigger complications, which could be a signal of the virus affecting the nervous system.

4. Stiffness within the neck and again

After we sit for too lengthy in entrance of a pc, we find yourself with ache within the neck and again. In kids, muscle stiffness or ache, significantly within the neck and again, could be a symptom of polio.

5. Muscle weak spot or paralysis

In accordance with Dr Srivastava, the hallmark signal of polio in kids is muscle weak spot. In extreme circumstances, it may well result in paralysis, often within the legs.

In case your little one has polio, they will additionally expertise sore throat, decreased urge for food, nausea, vomiting, constipation or belly ache as nicely.

Can polio be cured?

Sadly, there is no such thing as a treatment for polio, however it may be managed by supportive care, says Dr Srivastava. This consists of relaxation, ache aid and bodily remedy to keep up muscle energy. In some circumstances, respiratory help could also be required for youngsters with extreme muscle weak spot.

The first strategy to stop polio is thru vaccination. The oral polio vaccine and the inactivated polio vaccine are those which can be used to immunise kids in opposition to the virus. Whereas the inactivated polio vaccine is completed by injection, the oral polio vaccine is run by mouth. Additionally, training good hygiene reminiscent of common handwashing and prevention of open defecation may also help to keep away from the unfold of the virus.

International efforts to eradicate polio by vaccination campaigns have been profitable in lowering the variety of circumstances worldwide. In accordance with WHO, polio circumstances have gone down by greater than 99 % since 1988. The figures dropped from an estimated 350,000 circumstances in additional than 125 international locations to only six reported circumstances two years in the past. So, be sure your toddler will get the polio vaccine earlier than they rejoice their fifth birthday.