Poliomyelitis
Dr Ira Shah
Medical Sciences Department, Pediatric Oncall, Mumbai, India
Address for Correspondence: Dr Ira Shah, 1, B Saguna, 271, B St Francis Road, Vile Parle {W}, Mumbai 400056. India.
Clinical Problem :
A one and half year old unimmunized boy developed sudden onset lower limb weakness 2 months ago. On examination, he had hypotonia, weakness more in extensors of the calves, bilateral foot drop and absent reflexes. Other systems were normal. Stool grew polio virus on culture.
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Should this child be given vaccination for polio vaccine_?
Discussion :
This child has acute flaccid paralysis due to polio. There are 3 types of polio viruses. Since this child is unimmunized, he is susceptible to all 3 types of polio viruses. Since, he has a polio infection at the moment` he is going to develop natural immunity against one virus type. However, he is still susceptible to other 2 types of polio virus. Thus, the child should be given polio vaccine to develop immunity against the other 2 types of polio viruses. He should receive polio vaccine after 4 weeks of resolution of the acute illness.
E-published: August 2010 Vol 7 Issue 8 Art No. 48
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