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Tamil Nadu
Basic facts about polio
Ramya Kannan
Here are some basic facts about polio and the Oral Polio Vaccine that Director of Public Health S. Elango shares in a question and answer session with The Hindu:
What is Polio?
Poliomyelitis is acute inflammation of the grey matter of the spinal cord, leading to paralysis. It is an infectious disease caused by the polio virus, which sits in the small intestine.
Why is the Oral Polio Vaccine given?
The polio vaccine is a liquid that contains a weakened form of the live polio virus. When it is given to children, it replaces the wild polio that is lodged in the gut. The wild polio virus is then excreted in the faeces and cannot survive in the environment. If all children under the age of 5 are given the OPV, it will amount to eliminating the wild polio virus.
How many drops are given?
Only two drops are recommended. However, even if more than two drops are given, it is not dangerous.
Is OPV safe?
The World Health Organisation and UNICEF have certified the OPV as a safe vaccine. Every vial of vaccine has a monitor, which changes colour if the liquid inside is contaminated. Doctors claim that even if the vaccine loses its potency, it cannot cause harm to the children.
Are there any side
effects?
No. The only known ill-effect occurs one in a 100 million cases—a polio-like syndrome, also known as transit polio.
Can the OPV cause death?
No.
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