POLIO
A VACCINE PREVENTABLE ILLNESS
IDENTIFICATION AND DEFINITION
HISTORY OF POLIO
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS POLIO
About 1 in 4 people that get the polio infectious disease may have flu-like symptoms that include:
- sore throat
- fever
- tiredness
- headaches
- nausea
- stomach pain
- Paresthesia (feeling of pins and needles in the legs)
- Meningitis (infection of the covering of the spinal cord and/or brain) occurs in about 1 out of 25 people with poliovirus infection
- Paralysis (can’t move parts of the body) or weakness in the arms, legs, or both, occurs in about 1 out of 200 people with poliovirus infection
Permanent disability or death is the most severe symptom associated with polio. Paralysis from poliovirus infection can lead to death because it affects the muscle that helps to breath in between 2 and 10 out of 100 people.
TRANSMISSION OF POLIO
An infected person can spread the virus before and about 1 to 2 weeks of symptoms appearing. The virus can live in the infected feces for many weeks and can contaminate food and water in unsanitary conditions.
COMPLICATIONS OF POLIO
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/polio/basics/complications/con-20030957
RECOMMENED CONTROLS MEASURES FOR POLIO
Inactive poliovirus vaccine (IPV), which the only type being used in the United States.
- Highly effective in producing immunity to poliovirus
- After 2 doses, 90% or more immune
- After 3 doses, at least 99% immune
- It is still unknown how long immunity lasts for
- Since the effective use of the vaccine, the US has been polio-free since 1979
Oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) which is mostly being used in developing countries.
- Highly effective in producing immunity to poliovirus
- After one dose approximately 50% immune
- After 3 doses more than 95% immune
- Immunity could last lifelong
- In 2012, only 223 cases were reported worldwide and polio endemic were reported in only three countries.
Polio is projected to be eradicated worldwide within this decade if vaccination is delivered. Without vaccination, we may never know how serious the disease could have gotten. Luckily it was developed in time and delivered to stop the spread of the virus. Please vaccinate your children.