Be alert and recognize polio! and the Importance of Immunization for Children's Health

Hermina's Friends: As we all know, Indonesia was shocked some time ago by an incident of polio in a district in Aceh in early November 2022. even though Indonesia has been free of polio for a long time. Why is this happening? 

 

Previously, we needed to understand first: what is polio? 

Polio is a disease caused by a virus. It is very dangerous because it can cause sudden paralysis that cannot be cured. The sufferer will experience permanent paralysis, with the main symptom being withered paralysis. 

 

Polio Transmission 

Polio transmission is fecal-oral, so polio patients' feces contaminate food, which is then consumed by others. As a result, polio transmission is also linked to healthy living habits.

 

Symptoms to watch out for

If a child is infected with polio, there will be an incubation period of around 3–6 days, and symptoms that appear include: fever, vomiting, headache, or stiffness in the neck. After the incubation period, the child will suddenly experience paralysis that cannot be cured. In other words, the child will be disabled for the rest of his life.

What should parents do to protect their children from this dangerous polio disease?

Adopt a clean and healthy lifestyle, such as washing your hands thoroughly with soap and keeping your body and the environment clean. In addition, use clean latrines and do not defecate in random places. Immunization against polio is also critical.

 

Polio immunization has been shown to be effective in preventing polio. Polio immunization aims to trigger the body's immunity so that the body can be protected from polio infection. The government has also established polio immunization as a mandatory immunization.

When is the polio vaccination schedule?

According to the Ministry of Health, the polio immunization schedule is given four times for children under 1 year old. starting at the age of 1 month, 2 months, 3 months, and 4 months. And the administration says polio drops as much as two times at the ages of 1 month, 2 months, 3 months, and 4 months. But at the age of 4 months, it will be accompanied by an injection of polio.

 

What if polio immunization is missed? Can it still be chased?

Not a few parents missed their children's immunization schedule during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, parents need to know that immunization is very important for children's health. so that children can avoid dangerous diseases that can be prevented by administering vaccines or immunizations, including polio.

 

The term "catch-up immunization" refers to efforts to catch up on delays in giving immunizations to children. Polio immunization, for example, can be caught up on once missed.So, there is no more reason not to immunize children.

 

Polio transmission is heavily influenced by a clean and healthy lifestyle, as well as immunization, according to Hermina's friends.Immediately see your favorite pediatrician to catch up on immunizations, including polio.