Polio is a disease caused by a virus. Polio viruses spread predominantly through water infected by sewage.

When your child consumes this contaminated water, the virus enters through her stomach, and attaches itself to nerve cells in the spinal cord, and destroys them.

Since the nerve cells are destroyed, the muscles that are controlled by these nerve cells become paralysed, and start to shrink. The damage done by the polio virus is always permanent.

In rare cases, the virus can affect the brain and the nerve cells controlling the muscles of breathing, and can lead to serious illness and even death.

6) Does vaccination guarantee 100 percent protection against the disease?

No vaccine guarantees 100 percent protection. However, if your child had taken all the polio doses correctly, then the child is protected to the tune of 95 percent and more.

7) Are pulse polio programme implemented with care and hygiene?

Care and hygiene depends on the individuals in charge of the particular centre, and this can vary.

However, government agencies are instructed to take utmost care, and observe maximum hygiene, while administering the vaccine.

Author: Dr. P. V. Vaidyanathan

(The author is a Mumbai-based Paediatrician)