About

Scurvy, also known as chronic vitamin C deficiency disorder, is a disease caused by severe deficiency in vitamin C. 

Historical Context

It originated in ancient times and was during the 15th-18th centuries. It was prevalent in the Greek and Egyptian eras.

 It is rare today and restricted mostly in areas which lack adequate nutrition.

Role of Vitamin C

Vitamin C is essential for tissue repair, bone health, maintenance of blood vessels, skin health, iron absorption, heart protection, cancer prevention, and reduction of bad cholesterol or Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.

Symptoms

Its early signs include fatigue, irritability and weight loss. 

Other symptoms include anaemia, nausea, bleeding gums, corkscrew hairs, chest pain, joint pain and slow healing of wounds.

Causes

It is primarily caused due to insufficient intake of vitamin C.

A deficiency in vitamin C leads to a lack of collagen production and collagen production deficiency leads to tissue breakdown. 

This is evident in fragile blood vessels, bruising, poor wound healing, and swollen gums in humans.

Other contributing factors are age, alcohol, drugs and malnutrition.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis includes a physical examination, blood tests for vitamin C and tests for iron levels, X-rays of joints, etc.

Treatment

Vitamin C supplements, increased dietary intake of vitamin C, and lifestyle adjustments such as reduced alcohol and tobacco consumption are seen as potential treatments. 

Sources of Vitamin C

Citrus fruits like oranges, and lemons, vegetables which include broccoli, and bell peppers, and others like guava, kiwi, papaya, sprouts and liver are the major sources of Vitamin C.

About

Polio is a viral infectious disease caused by poliomyelitis virus, which affects the nervous system. This effect on the nervous system can cause paralysis or death.

Types of Poliovirus

There are three strains of poliovirus in the market: 

1. Wild Poliovirus type 1 (WPV1), 
2. Wild Poliovirus type 2 (WPV2), and 
3. Wild Poliovirus type 3 (WPV3)

Spread

It is transmitted via the faecal-oral route or contaminated food or water and it multiplies in the intestines.

The virus mainly affects children under 5 years of age.

Symptoms

It is often asymptomatic, however, minor symptoms include fever, nausea, and headache and in rare cases it leads to permanent paralysis or fatal respiratory muscle paralysis.

Prevention and treatment

There is no cure for polio. However, it can be prevented through immunisation.

Vaccines

Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV): 

It is given at birth, with 3 doses at 6, 10, and 14 weeks, and booster doses at 16-24 months.

Injectable Polio Vaccine (IPV): 

It is given with the 3rd dose of DPT (Diphtheria, Pertussis and Tetanus) under the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP).

Recent Outbreaks

In 2019, vaccine-derived polio outbreaks happened in countries like the Philippines, Malaysia, and Ghana.

This was due to a rare mutation from oral vaccine strain in under-immunised populations in the region.

India & Polio

India was declared polio-free by the World Health Organization in 2014 and the last wild poliovirus case was recorded in 2011.

This success was achieved through the Pulse Polio Campaign.

Global Eradication measures 

Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI): It was launched in 1988 by WHO as a result of which, now 80% of the population lives in polio-free regions and saved 1.5 million lives.

World Polio Day: It is observed on October 24 to raise awareness bout Polio.

Indian Eradication Measures

Pulse Polio Programme: It was launched by the union government which aimed for 100% OPV coverage in India among children under five years of age.

Intensified Mission Indradhanush 2.0: It is nationwide immunisation to mark 25 years of Pulse Polio. It was organised from 2019 to 2020.

Universal Immunization Programme (UIP): 

It was launched in 1985 by the union government to improve coverage, quality, and self-sufficiency in vaccine production.

It aims to provide free vaccines to all children against vaccine-preventable diseases. The

 Pentavalent vaccine introduced under UIP covers the diseases- diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, hepatitis B, and Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b)

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Consider the following statements about Polio: 

1. Polio is a viral infectious disease affecting the nervous system.
2. The virus mainly affects children under 5 years of age.
3. Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) is the only available vaccine in the market to prevent polio.

Which of the above  statements are correct? 

A)1 and 2 only

B)2 and 3 only

C)1, 2 and 3 only

D)None

Ans: A

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct:

Polio is a viral infectious disease which affects the nervous system. This effect on the nervous system can cause paralysis or death.

Statement 2 is correct:

It is transmitted via the faecal-oral route or contaminated food or water and it multiplies in the intestines.

The virus mainly affects children under 5 years of age.

Statement 3 is incorrect:

India was declared polio-free by the World Health Organization in 2014 and the last wild poliovirus case was recorded in 2011.

This success was achieved through the Pulse Polio Campaign

Vaccines available: 

Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV): 

It is given at birth, with 3 doses at 6, 10, and 14 weeks, and booster doses at 16-24 months.

Injectable Polio Vaccine (IPV): 

It is given with the 3rd dose of DPT (Diphtheria, Pertussis and Tetanus) under the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP).