What is Polio?

You may have noticed that the disease known in medicine as poliomyelitis, or polio, has not been as frequently discussed in recent years as it was in the past. The reason for this is the weakening of the virus that causes polio due to regular vaccinations and certain antibiotic applications, resulting in the disease no longer being as common in children. However, according to a report published by the World Health Organization in the first week of May 2014, the incidence of polio has begun to rise again, particularly in Middle Eastern countries. This situation has necessitated a detailed examination of this disease, which poses a serious threat to child health.

The cause of polio, especially seen in the summer and the following autumn, is a virus that the human body has not yet fully developed natural immunity against. In ancient times, this disease could be encountered in all age groups, regardless of whether they were children or adults, during these seasons. However, with the advancement of medicine, improvements in diagnostic technologies, and the widespread application of the polio vaccine, it has increasingly begun to be seen in children under the age of 5. The disease, which is named polio for this reason, can also spread to older children and adults, particularly in areas where necessary hygiene conditions are not met and vaccination is not performed.

The high fever and headache among the polio symptoms can lead to confusion with childhood diseases such as smallpox and measles that children in the same age group experience. The distinguishing symptom of this disease is a painful backache, which is not commonly seen in children. If the disease progresses, this pain can spread to the spinal cord and cause inflammation.

Although polio initially shows symptoms similar to partial paralysis, or even milder symptoms, it can lead to permanent spinal cord damage if timely vaccination or treatment is not administered. In some cases, due to the provision of hygiene conditions, it has been observed that the muscles return to their former state within a maximum of one month, but this situation is quite rare. Therefore, the disease should never be underestimated or taken lightly, and a doctor or public health center should always be consulted. Vaccination is the safest means of protection against polio. To protect against the disease, children need to be vaccinated a total of 5 times: first before they turn 6 months old, second approximately 8 weeks after the first vaccination, third 6 months after the previous vaccination, and once more at ages 5 and 15. The oral polio vaccine is painless and is administered free of charge at many public health centers.