Everything Parents Need to Know About Polio

What is polio?

Polio (poliomyelitis) is a life-threatening disease caused by the poliovirus.
The virus spreads from person to person and can infect the spinal cord, leading to paralysis — the inability to move parts of the body.

What are the symptoms of polio?

Most people infected with poliovirus (approximately 72 out of 100) do not develop any visible symptoms.
About one in four infected individuals may experience mild, flu-like symptoms such as:

• Sore throat
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Headache
• Stomach pain

These symptoms usually last for two to five days and resolve on their own.

A smaller proportion of people develop more severe symptoms that affect the brain and spinal cord, including:

• Paraesthesia (a tingling sensation in the legs)
• Meningitis (infection of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord), which occurs in about 1 in 25 infections
• Paralysis or muscle weakness in the arms, legs, or both, which occurs in approximately 1 in 200 infections

Paralysis is the most serious consequence of polio, as it can lead to permanent disability or death. Between 2 and 10 out of every 100 people who develop paralysis from poliovirus infection die because the virus affects the muscles that control breathing.

Even children who appear to recover completely may later develop new muscle pain, weakness, or paralysis as adults. This condition is known as post-polio syndrome (PPS) — a complication that can occur decades after the initial infection.

It is important to note that “polio” refers to paralytic poliovirus infection; only individuals who develop paralysis are classified as polio cases.

How does poliovirus spread?

Poliovirus is highly contagious and spreads from person to person.
It lives in the throat and intestines of an infected person and infects only humans. The virus enters the body through the mouth and is transmitted primarily through:

• Contact with the faeces of an infected person
• (Less commonly) droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes

An infected person can spread the virus to others immediately before and up to two weeks after symptoms appear.
The virus can remain in an infected person’s stool for many weeks, and in settings with poor sanitation it can contaminate food and water.
Even individuals who show no symptoms can transmit the virus and infect others.

How can parents protect their children from polio?

Vaccination is the only effective way to prevent poliomyelitis.
There are two types of vaccines that protect against polio:

• Inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV): administered as an injection in the arm or leg, depending on the child’s age.
• Oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV): given by mouth and still used in many countries around the world.

The polio vaccine helps children build immunity by training their bodies to recognize and fight the virus.
Nearly all children — about 99 out of 100 — who receive all recommended doses of IPV are fully protected against polio.

Key message for parents

Polio can cause lifelong disability or death, but it is entirely preventable through vaccination.
Ensure that your child receives every dose of the polio vaccine as part of routine immunization.
By vaccinating your child, you are protecting not only their health, but also the health of your community.