Polio
Polio is an illness that causes sudden weakness / lameness of the limbs
and sometimes death in children. The polio virus can be passed easily
from one person to another. The polio virus affects mostly children
below 5 years.
Prevent Polio
Polio can be prevented by immunisation with polio drops at birth, 6
weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks, 18 weeks and 5 years of age.
How do you know It may be polio?
- Polio causes sudden weakness or inability to use a leg and / or arm.
- In children who are too young to walk, the mother may notice that one of the legs appears floppy and weak.
Community Participation
- Community members and parents can help by immediately reporting any child who develops weakness of either an arm and / or leg
(without any injury), to the nearest clinic or hospital.
- When a patient with such weakness is taken to hospital, tests are done to ensure it is not polio.
- All parents and care givers must take their children to the clinic for polio drops at the correct age.
Remember
- Polio can be prevented.
- A deformity caused by polio cannot be reversed - it is there for life.
- A child is fully protected against polio if he / she gets all prescribed vaccine doses at the correct ages.
- Immunisation is free at all Public health facilities.
- Immunisation is the most precious gift that we can give to our children.
For
further information, please contact your nearest hospital, primary health care centre or clinic
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