What is polio, and how can we prevent it?

Polio, also known as poliomyelitis, is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system.

Children who are younger than five years old are more likely to contract the virus than any other group. And according to the Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Dr. Maria Rosario Vergerie, polio is transmitted through contact with infected feces.

She said, “Ibig sabihin nakukuha natin sa dumi ng tao ang virus lalo na kung marumi ang kapaligiran at walang personal hygiene ang tao.

“Maaring gumamit ng paliguan tapos hindi naghugas ng maigi ng kamay o nakainom ng tubig o nakakain ng pagkain na kontaminado ng virus. So doon natin siya nakukuha.”

On September 19, 2019, the Department of Health declared an outbreak of polio in the Philippines after almost two decades of being polio-free.

“Big thing ito sa atin kasi we were certified as polio-free in the year 2000 along with other countries in the Western-Pacific region.

“Then suddenly, may kaso tayo. That's why everyone must see why it's happening and look at the factors,” she said.

So what happens when you get polio?

The most common symptoms of the poliovirus are fever, sore throat, difficulty in breathing, stiffness, extreme muscle pain, and loss of reflexes or paralyzed.

Dr. Vergeire warns, “Ang pinakamasamang sintomas ng polio ay ang pagkaroon ng paralysis of the respiratory muscles.

“Ibig sabihin, hindi na gumagana 'yung muscles na nakakatulong sa atin huminga at maaring magdulot ng kamatayan.”

The best way to prevent polio is, you guessed it, to get a vaccination.

As mentioned above, children should get polio shots because they are more prone to the virus than adults.

There are two types of vaccine made available, for free, by the DOH: the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) and the Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV).

Infants at the age of six weeks must get their first dose of the OPV, followed by doses on the 10th and the 14th week. The IPV is given simultaneously on the 14th week as well.

Dr. Vergerie explained, “Kailangan tatlong dose ng oral polio vaccine ang ibinibigay natin para ma-reach nito ang adequate dosing na kailangan ng bata.”

Because of the resurgence of cases, the Department of Health and its partners have been working closely together on a response which includes a mass polio immunization rounds.

All children, regardless of whether they had the vaccine or not, should be vaccinated according to the routine immunization schedule.

“'Pag sinasabi natin kasi na polio ang talagang vulnerable diyan 'yung mga less than 15 years old,” she clarified.

“Kasi they might have missed their immunization schedules, they are more prone or at risk to these sanitary conditions.

“And if masyadong bata, 'yung immunity levels nila para labanan ang sakit ay 'di pa ganoon ka-developed as compared with an adult.”

Other forms of prevention include washing of the hands, drinking clean water, and keeping a clean environment throughout.

As Dr. Vergerie explained, “Sabi ko nga, 'pag may poor sanitary conditions, nandun 'yung risk para makuha natin 'yung virus.

“So paano natin ito maiiwasan? Handwashing, which is a universal precaution para sa lahat ng virus.

“Ang dapat nating tandaan, wala siyang gamot.

“So kung magkaroon ka ng polio ngayon, kahit pumunta ka pa sa pinakamalaking ospital they cannot do anything for you anymore.

“The only thing you can do is to have your immunization.”