The poliovirus is a virus most recognized for its destruction to the nervous system causing paralysis. The majority of individuals who are infected with polio, however, have no symptoms and a few have mild symptoms. Since the introduction of the polio vaccine in and global disease eradication efforts, infections from the poliovirus have nearly been eradicated. In countries that are poor, underdeveloped, and do not have access to the vaccine, polio is still a concern especially for infants and children.
The WHO continues its efforts to eradicate the virus worldwide. Transmission of the poliovirus most often occurs from fecal-oral contact.
Usually, this occurs from poor hand washing or from ingestion of contaminated food or water. Respiratory secretions also spread poliovirus. Those infected with the virus can excrete the virus in their stool for several weeks. Individuals are most contagious immediately before the onset of symptoms and soon after they appear.
Poliovirus infections can exhibit symptoms in varying degrees of severity. Each child may experience symptoms differently. The majority of individuals 90 to 95 percent have no symptoms at all. This is referred to as inapparent infection. Three other categories of polio infection will be discussed:. Abortive poliomyelitis. A mild and short course of the disease with one or more symptoms: fever up to degrees Fahrenheit or Nonparalytic poliomyelitis.
The symptoms of nonparalytic poliomyelitis include the symptoms for abortive poliomyelitis, but the headache, nausea, and vomiting may be worse. In addition, symptoms may include the child feeling sick for a couple of days, and then appear to improve before getting sick again with pain of the muscles in the neck, trunk, arms, and legs, and stiffness in the neck and along the spine.
That said, polio is still a problem in poor, undeveloped countries. Infants and children are at the greatest risk and infections are most common during summer and fall.
About 90 to 95 percent of people who do get infected with polio have no symptoms at all. Of those who do get the infection, 2 percent or fewer may develop paralytic disease. Symptoms may vary depending on the kind of polio and vary child-to-child. In addition to proper hygiene and handwashing techniques, the best way to prevent polio is by being vaccinated. The polio vaccine, or IPV Inactivated polio vaccine , is recommended four times, when your child is:.
For Patients. Contact the Division of Infectious Diseases Fax Adults who are at increased risk of exposure to poliovirus and who have previously completed a routine series of polio vaccine IPV or OPV can receive one lifetime booster dose of IPV. Top of Page. This decision was also based on the decreased risk of wild poliovirus being brought into the country and because the U.
Inactivated poliovirus vaccine IPV , which is the only polio vaccine that has been given in the United States since , protects almost all children 99 out of who get all the recommended doses. For best protection, children should get four doses of polio vaccine. With any medicine, including vaccines, there is a chance of side effects.
These are usually mild and go away on their own, but serious reactions are also possible. Some people who get IPV get a sore spot where the shot was given. IPV has not been known to cause serious problems, and most people do not have any problems with it.
As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance of a vaccine causing a serious injury or death. The safety of vaccines is always being monitored.
All 50 states and the District of Columbia DC have state laws that require children entering childcare or public schools to have certain vaccinations.
There is no federal law that requires this. CDC recommends that all children get four doses of inactivated polio vaccine IPV , with one dose at each of the following ages:. All children who have received three doses of IPV before age 4 years should receive a fourth dose at 4 to 6 years of age before or at school entry.
For more information, see State Vaccination Requirements. Most health insurance plans cover the cost of vaccines.
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