What is Poliomyelitis?

Poliomyelitis, medically known as poliomyelitis , is a serious infectious disease caused by a highly contagious virus called poliovirus . The virus usually enters the body through the mouth and multiplies in the intestines. While it often presents with no symptoms or mild flu-like symptoms, in some cases, the virus reaches the central nervous system and damages nerve cells. This can lead to muscle weakness and permanent paralysis , especially in children. It can even be fatal if the respiratory muscles are affected. The disease most commonly affects children under 5. Transmission occurs primarily through water and food contaminated with feces (the fecal-oral route).

When is Polio Vaccine Given?

The only and most effective way to protect against polio is vaccination. The vaccine is included in the national immunization schedule starting in infancy. Two types of polio vaccine are used in our country:

1. Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV): It is a vaccine administered by injection (needle) containing dead virus.
2. Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV): It is a vaccine containing attenuated live virus and is administered orally as drops.

The current routine vaccination schedule (for infants) in Türkiye is generally as follows:

• IPV (Inactivated Polio Vaccine): It is administered intramuscularly in the arm as a five-valent combination vaccine at the 2nd, 4th, 6th and 18th months.
• OPV (Oral Polio Vaccine): It is administered orally as drops at 6 and 18 months.
• Booster Dose: In the first grade of primary school (at the age of 6), a second dose of the quadruple combination vaccine is administered to the arm.

Not interrupting the vaccination schedule is of vital importance for individual and community immunity.

How to Prevent Polio?

Because there is no definitive antiviral treatment for polio, prevention is crucial. The main ways to prevent the disease are:

1. Timely and Complete Vaccination: This is the most important prevention method. Polio vaccination must be administered completely and on time, in accordance with the national vaccination schedule.
2. Following Hygiene Rules: Since the main transmission route of the virus is fecal-oral, personal hygiene rules play a critical role.

• Washing hands frequently and correctly with soap.
• Paying attention to hygiene, especially after using the toilet and before preparing food.

3. Consuming Safe Water and Food: Especially in places where hygiene conditions are poor, it is important to consume clean and safe foods and drink boiled or bottled water.

Remember, although poliovirus has been largely brought under control worldwide thanks to vaccination campaigns, there are still areas where it persists. Therefore, universal vaccination is the only way to completely eliminate the disease.