Polio Virus

Poliomyelitis, or polio, is a disease caused by any of three polioviruses.  Most times poliovirus infection causes no problems.  Sometimes the poliovirus infection causes a mild flu-like illness.   In about four of every 100 people with the infection, poliovirus causes meningitis (an infection of the coverings of the brain).  In about one in every 100 people with infection, poliovirus causes paralysis (making arms and legs unable to move).  Most cases of polio are in children younger than 6 years of age.  Until a vaccine became available in the mid-1950’s, polio was the leading cause of permanent disability in the United States.

There is a way to prevent getting polio.  Children should get four doses of polio vaccine. A dose of polio vaccine is recommended at age 2 months, 4 months, 6-18 months, and 4-6 years.  Polio virus is not spread easily in communities where most people are vaccinated against polio. When poliovirus spreads, it usually spreads within households, by the stool from an infected person.  This means the poliovirus from stool can be transferred to other people by hands or on other objects.  In unvaccinated people, the poliovirus may also spread in respiratory secretions.