Blog #4

Poliomyelitis is caused by the poliovirus and can be considered a paralytic disease because it attacks the spinal cord. However, according to the CDC, the majority of the people infected with poliovirus do not even show noticeable symptoms, which contributes to its spread. Paralysis, meningitis, and paresthesia are severe symptoms that can be caused by this virus, primarily in children under the age of 5. Polio is very close to being eradicated due to vaccinations, however, it is still endemic in two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan. According to this article, if local governments can ensure that all children in these two countries can be vaccinated, it is very possible that polio could be completely eradicated from the globe.

The inactivated polio vaccine (IPV), which consists of inactivated virus particles of three serotypes, can be administered in the arms or leg of a patient. As of 2000, it is the only vaccine used in the United States. The OPV has not been used in the Unites States because it has an increased risk of the vaccine derived poliovirus and because of the minimal risk of a wild poliovirus entering the country. The prevention plan for this method includes a series of four injections spanning from the age of 2 months old to 4-6 years old. According to the CDC, the IPV is extremely effective, ensuring 90% immunity to all three types of the poliovirus after 2 doses, and at least 99% immunity after 3 doses. It is extremely critical to provide our children with the proper vaccine doses in order to protect them from this debilitating virus.

The Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) is used in the remaining countries of the world because of its cheaper oral administration. The OPV is made up of attenuated strains of the poliovirus. Because the OPV allows the attenuated strain to replicate in the cells lining the throat and intestinal tract, it can lead to better mucosal immunity than the IPV. With the OPV, the antibiodies in the body attack the virus before it infects the cells. Although, OPV can also lead to vaccine-related poliomyelitis, it needs to be used to completely eradicate Polio world-wide because it prevents the spread of the wild poliovirus. The governments of countries where polio is still endemic should prioritize the health of their citizens by providing the OPV or IPV. Not only are they protecting the health of the children in their country, they are also preventing the world-wide spread of it through traveling.