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Polio is a contagious viral illness that, in its most severe form, causes nerve damage, paralysis, difficulty breathing, and, in extreme cases, death.
The last case of naturally occurring polio in the United States occurred in 1979. Despite a global effort to eradicate polio, the poliovirus continues to affect children and adults in Asia and Africa.
If you are traveling anywhere where there is a risk of polio, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends taking precautions to protect yourself.
Adults who have been immunized and plan to travel to a polio-endemic area should receive a booster dose of inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV). Immunity after a booster is permanent.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF POLIO?
Although polio can cause paralysis and death, the vast majority of people infected with the virus do not become ill and are unaware they are infected.
Nonparalytic polio
Some people who develop poliovirus symptoms contract a type of polio that does not result in paralysis (abortive polio). This usually results in the same mild, flu-like symptoms as other viral illnesses.
Among the signs and symptoms that can last up to ten days are:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Backache or stiffness
- Neck stiffness or pain
- Throat discomfort
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Stiffness or pain in the arms or legs
- Muscle ache or tenderness
Paralytic syndrome
This most severe form of the disease is uncommon. The first signs and symptoms of paralytic polio, such as fever and headache, are frequently mistaken for those of nonparalytic polio. However, within a week, other signs and symptoms emerge, including:
- Reflex loss
- Muscle aches or weakness that is severe
- Limbs that are loose and floppy (flaccid paralysis)
Post-polio syndrome
Post-polio syndrome is a collection of disabling signs and symptoms that can occur years after having polio. The following are some common signs and symptoms:
- Muscle or joint weakness and pain that worsens over time
- Fatigue
- Muscle wasting (atrophy)
- Breathing or swallowing difficulties
- Breathing disorders associated with sleep, such as sleep apnea
- Reduced tolerance of cold temperatures
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF POLIO?
Poliovirus can be spread through direct contact with a virus-infected person or, less commonly, through contaminated food and water. People who have the poliovirus can spread it for weeks through their feces. People who have the virus but do not show symptoms can spread it to others.
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR POLIO?
Polio primarily affects children under the age of five. Anyone who has not been immunized, on the other hand, is at risk of contracting the disease.
WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS OF POLIO?
Paralytic polio can result in muscle paralysis, disability, bone deformities, and death.
HOW IS POLIO DIAGNOSED?
Symptoms of polio include stiffness in the neck and back, abnormal reflexes, and difficulty swallowing and breathing. A sample of your throat secretions, stool, or the colorless fluid that surrounds your brain and spinal cord (cerebrospinal fluid) is tested for poliovirus to confirm the diagnosis.
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS FOR POLIO?
Because there is no cure for polio, the emphasis is on increasing comfort, hastening recovery, and avoiding complications. Among the supportive treatments are:
- Pain killers
- Portable ventilators for breathing assistance
- Moderate exercise (physical therapy) to avoid deformity and muscle function loss
HOW CAN POLIO BE PREVENTED?
Vaccination is the most effective method of polio prevention.
The polio vaccine
In the United States, most children receive four doses of inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) at the following ages:
- 2 months
- 4 months
- Between the ages of 6 and 18 months
- Between the ages of 4 and 6, when children are just starting school
IPV is safe for people with compromised immune systems, though it is unclear how effective the vaccine is in cases of severe immune deficiency. Pain and redness at the injection site are common side effects.
Allergic reaction to the vaccine
Some people may develop an allergic reaction to IPV. Because the vaccine contains trace amounts of the antibiotics streptomycin, polymyxin B, and neomycin, it should not be administered to anyone who has had an allergic reaction to any of these medications.
An allergic reaction usually manifests itself within minutes to a few hours of receiving the shot. Look out for:
- Breathing difficulties
- Rapid heart rate
- Hives
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Wheezing or hoarseness
If you or your child has an allergic reaction to a shot, seek medical attention right away.
Adult vaccination
Adults in the United States are not routinely vaccinated against polio because most are immune and the chances of contracting polio are low. Certain adults at high risk of polio who have received a primary vaccination series with either IPV or the oral polio vaccine (OPV) should receive a single IPV booster shot.
A single booster dose of IPV is effective for life. Adults at risk include those who travel to areas where polio still exists or those who care for people with polio.
If you haven't been vaccinated or your vaccination status is unknown, get a series of primary polio vaccination shots — two doses of IPV at four to eight-week intervals, followed by a third dose six to 12 months later.