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BABY AND CHILDHOOD INFECTIOUS DISEASES: POLIOMYELITISThe prevention of poliomyelitis, commonly known as polio, is the conquest of the current quarter of a century. Once a disastrous and diabolical disease with a high mortality rate, and an even higher harbinger of partially paralysed bodies, it is now seldom seen in the acute stage. Until the mid-1950s it regularly left a trail of wreckage and havoc on the Australian population, and in fact in all Western countries, to say nothing of the appalling disasters it wrought in the developing lands. But in the mid-1950s, all that changed. The sudden development of a suitable and highly effective vaccine by Dr Salk, and mass immunization campaigns, brought the disease to a sudden halt. Since then, Salk injections have been largely replaced by Sabin oral vaccine, and this is currently recommended for all babies from the age of two months. The death rate from polio plummeted, and the figure has been zero for several years now. But it will remain this way only as long as parents are vigilant and continue to have their infants immunized along the recommended lines. Polio is still as rampant as ever in the Third World, which is not very far from Australia’s shores. If our national immunization rates fall, then polio could rapidly make a come back in Australia. It is perfectly feasible that it could even return to the pre-vaccination days and again become a major killer and paralyser. It is unlikely that, if the present trend for vaccination against polio continues, many doctors (or anybody for that matter) will witness a case of polio during their lifetime. However, it is worth knowing the symptoms, if only to alert parents to the horrid consequences if they happen to become careless in not arranging for a child to receive the proper course of immunization. Early symptoms are often vague. They may simulate an oncoming bout of the flu, and the patient may seem to recover temporarily. But a recurrence of fever, backache, neck stiffness, nausea and vomiting may supervene. This may ’smoulder’ for several days, perhaps up to a week. Then suddenly the major symptom occurs: paralysis. It may accompany the fever. It is often very variable, ranging from minor weakness of a single muscle group, to severe debilitating loss of function of any section of the body. The most important is the respiratory system; if this is affected, death may be imminent unless immediate emergency facilities are available. These entail the use of an artificial respirator, and its use for an ongoing period of time may be essential to maintain life. Treatment Symptoms such as those mentioned above, occurring in an unvaccinated child, require the urgent attention of the doctor. Prompt treatment may be essential to preserve life, especially if the breathing mechanism is affected. Treatment must be carried out in hospitals where the attention of experts is available and full facilities aimed at preserving life are available. This is no game for amateurs or do-it-yourself methods at home. Younger generations of parents have only heard about polio. With the passage of time and the paucity of cases heard about, stories of the disastrous consequences of yesteryear often fall on deaf ears. And as the likelihood of contracting polio seems minimal there is a general tendency for young people to be complacent. ‘It can’t happen to me or to my child. It’s history … old hat… something in granny’s day.’ All too often apathy can set in. Do not be lulled into a false sense of security and neglect to have your babies immunized against this potential killer. It is simply not worth the risk. *47\87\2*         Random PostsLeave OneYou must be logged in to post a comment. |
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