Welcome to Hilary Topper on air. Today we will explore pivotal moments in medical history and their lasting impact on our world today. We will be delving into the story of polio—a disease that once gripped the world with fear and has since become a symbol of the power of vaccines. We’ll discuss the polio epidemics of the 1940s and 50s, the groundbreaking vaccines that led to its decline, the emergence of post-polio syndrome, and the current status of polio globally.
Polio in Children
In the mid-20th century, polio was a name that struck fear into the hearts of families worldwide. This highly infectious disease, caused by the poliovirus, would often lead to paralysis and even death, predominantly affecting children. The epidemics of the 1940s and 50s were particularly severe, with thousands of cases reported annually in countries like the United States. Public pools were closed, and parents kept their children away from crowds, hoping to protect them from this invisible enemy.
How it Impacted Me
I talk about this topic because it actually affected me personally. You see, my mother, Phyllis Kahn Mass was a polio victim. Her parents thought she got it from a public pool. She was the only one in her class to have it and she was hospitalized for more than a year in an Iron lung.
Iron Lung
For those of you unfamiliar, the iron lung is a type of negative pressure ventilator, a mechanical respirator that was widely used in the mid-20th century, particularly during the polio epidemics. It was a large, horizontal cylinder that encases most of a patient’s body, leaving only the head exposed. The device worked by varying the air pressure inside the cylinder to stimulate breathing, effectively assisting patients who have lost control of their respiratory muscles due to conditions like polio.
The iron lung was invented by Philip Drinker and Louis Shaw in 1928 and became a crucial tool for treating respiratory failure caused by polio. During the polio outbreaks of the 1940s and 1950s, iron lungs were a common sight in hospitals, helping patients with paralyzed diaphragms breathe. Although largely obsolete today due to modern ventilators and the near eradication of polio, the iron lung remains an iconic symbol of the era.
My Mother
I remember my grandmother telling me that she went to the hospital every day but was unable to go near my mother because she had to wear a type of hazmat suit, in fear that she and my grandfather would carry the disease. My uncle was a little boy. He stayed with various relatives.
When my mother finally got out of the hospital and came home, all of the friends she once had, were gone. They wanted nothing to do with her or her family. Everyone was a victim. A year or so later, they moved from the Bronx to Long Beach, Long Island.
In 1955, Dr. Jonas Salk, developed the first effective polio vaccine. This injectable, inactivated vaccine was a breakthrough in medical science, offering hope to millions.
A few years later, Dr. Albert Sabin introduced an oral vaccine, which became widely used due to its ease of administration and effectiveness. These vaccines drastically reduced polio cases, turning the disease from a public health crisis into a manageable condition.
March of Dimes
I remember my mother telling me about the march of dimes and how important they were to her. The March of Dimes, originally known as the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, played a crucial role in the fight against polio. Founded by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1938, the organization was instrumental in funding research and supporting the development of the polio vaccine. Through widespread fundraising efforts, including the famous “March of Dimes” campaign, the organization raised significant funds to support scientists like Dr. Jonas Salk, who developed the first effective polio vaccine. This vaccine, announced in 1955, led to a dramatic decline in polio cases and was a pivotal moment in public health history. The March of Dimes’ efforts not only helped eradicate polio in the United States but also set the stage for its ongoing mission to improve the health of mothers and babies.
While the vaccines were successful in curbing new infections, many who had survived polio were left with lasting effects. Decades later, these individuals began experiencing new symptoms, a condition now known as post-polio syndrome (PPS). PPS manifests as muscle weakness, fatigue, and joint pain, occurring years after the initial recovery from polio. It’s believed to result from the gradual deterioration of motor neurons that were previously damaged and then repaired during the original polio infection.
Post Polio
Although, polio has been nearly eradicated, thanks to the continued efforts of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, which began in 1988. Through comprehensive immunization campaigns, polio remains endemic in only a few regions. However, vigilance is key, as outbreaks can occur if vaccination efforts wane. The fight against polio continues, with a focus on reaching every child to ensure a world free from this disease.
The disease unfortunately still affects those who were victims in their childhood. Although their symptoms improved and many were released from the hospital, when they reached middle age, the symptoms returned as post polio syndrome.
Post-polio syndrome, or PPS, is a condition that can develop many years after a person has recovered from polio. It’s estimated that a significant number of polio survivors experience PPS, where they encounter new symptoms such as muscle weakness, fatigue, and joint pain. This syndrome arises because the motor neurons that were once damaged and adapted to regain function gradually deteriorate over time. This deterioration leads to the recurrence of symptoms, often affecting mobility and quality of life.
Listen in to the rest of the podcast as I also interview Mary McManus, MSW, Author of A Most Unlikely Runner: Inspiration From the Heart of a Warrior, available on Amazon. Mary was also inflicted with the disease and now lives with Post Polio Syndrome.
Special Thanks:
To our sponsors for making this podcast possible — The Russo Law Group, Vimazi shoes, Medi-Dyne, and PlayTri.
