Polio part 2

Polio Overview

Definition: Polio is a viral disease that can cause paralysis. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in every 200 infections leads to irreversible paralysis, typically in the legs.
Mortality Rate: Among those who become paralyzed, approximately 5-10% die due to complications such as immobilization of breathing muscles.

Affected Population: Primarily affects children, but can occur at any age.
Presentation: Some individuals may show no symptoms while others develop symptoms ranging from mild to severe.

Current Treatment: No cure for polio exists; treatment options are limited to physical therapy.
Prevention: Vaccination is the primary method of preventing polio.

Types of Polio Vaccines:
- Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV): Developed by Jonas Salk and approved for use in the U.S. since 1955.
- Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV): Developed by Albert Sabin and commonly used in other countries.
Comparison of Vaccines: The IPV and OPV have different pros and cons. Discussions include which vaccine may be better suited for specific communities.
- Concern exists regarding OPV as it can mutate into a form that can cause outbreaks. This information will be discussed in the videos to be presented later.
Vaccine Development History: A third vaccine integrating multiple vaccine types was created in 1963, although details on this were not extensively covered.

Developmental Timeline:
- Salk's IPV was developed in 1955, while Sabin's OPV was introduced in the 1960s.
FDR's Campaign: Franklin D. Roosevelt contracted polio at age 39, and his experience led to significant contributions to polio research and funding for treatment centers.

Use of Animal Testing: Animals, such as monkeys and genetically modified mice, were used in vaccine development. Ethical concerns revolve around the treatment and conditions of lab animals used for research.
Debate on Animal Testing: Different views on animal research were expressed, highlighting the ethical implications of using living beings for scientific advancement versus the necessity of such practices in developing medical treatments.

Impact on Families: Public perceptions of polio, especially before widespread vaccination, heightened fears among families regarding the health of children.
Trial Participation: In 1954, one of the largest vaccine trials involving 1.5 million children in McLean, Virginia, was conducted using a double-blind method to evaluate vaccine efficacy.
- Participants were unaware of whether they received the actual vaccine or a placebo.

Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR): Helped raise awareness about polio and founded the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, which is known today as The March of Dimes.
Jonas Salk and Albert Sabin: Each developed different approaches to vaccination against polio. Their competition was driven by humanitarian efforts to eradicate the disease rather than commercial gain.

Research on Cancers: Current studies are being conducted to explore the use of the polio virus in treating certain types of cancer, suggesting a novel application of the polio virus in oncology.
Reflection on Future Applications: As scientific knowledge progresses, historical diseases such as polio could lead to innovative treatments for other conditions.

The conversation around polio vaccination includes historical context, ethical implications, current medical applications in cancer therapy, and the societal attitudes toward vaccinations and health risks.
Students are encouraged to think critically about the implications of vaccine trials, choice of animal testing, and the balance between scientific progress and ethical responsibility when developing treatments.