Most cases are this type. When people have this form, they don't have symptoms. But they can still pass the virus on to other people. Cases with mild symptoms. People with this form may have a mild illness with symptoms similar to those from the flu. But the illness doesn't appear to affect the brain. People with this form usually recover within a week. Paralytic polio. This type includes weakness that develops quickly and turns into paralysis.

What causes polio? What raises my risk for polio? You are at increased risk for polio if you: Have not received the polio vaccination Were exposed to someone infected with the virus What are the symptoms of polio?

Polio can cause a variety of symptoms. Depending on the severity of the case, these can include: Fever Fatigue Vomiting Headache Neck stiffness Pain in the arms and legs Weakness Paralysis Difficulty breathing, swallowing, or speaking How is polio diagnosed? How is polio treated? What are the complications of polio? The complications of polio can vary. Most people recover without complications Some people may develop muscle weakness A few people will have permanent muscle paralysis Living with polio Many people who have had polio develop a condition called post-polio syndrome decades later.

Can polio be prevented? Key points about poliomyelitis Polio is rare in the United States but continues to happen in some countries. It can be prevented with the polio vaccination. It can cause asthma symptoms. The simplest form of prevention for lyssavirus is to avoid close contact with bats.

Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website.

All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances. The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website.

Skip to main content. Neuromuscular system. Home Neuromuscular system. Polio and the late effects of polio. Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. Immunisation against polio Immunisation against polio for children Immunisation against polio for adults Symptoms of polio How polio spreads Risk factors for polio Diagnosis of polio Treatment for polio Where to get help.

Immunisation against polio Immunisation is the best protection against polio. Immunisation against polio for children Protection against polio is available free of charge for children under the National Immunisation Program. In Victoria, immunisation against polio is free for: babies at 2, 4 and 6 months — immunisation in the form of a diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, hepatitis B, polio and Haemophilus influenza type b Hib vaccine 6-in-1 vaccine children at 4 years — a booster dose in the form of a diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio vaccine 4-in-1 vaccine children up to and including 9 years of age — catch up immunisation with combination vaccines is available Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, refugees and asylum seekers from 10 years of age — catch-up immunisations with a polio-only vaccine are available for people who have not been fully vaccinated.

Immunisation against polio for adults It is recommended that all adults make sure that they have been vaccinated against polio. People who are at risk and may need a booster include: people intending to travel to Afghanistan or Pakistan, where polio is still endemic known as wild poliovirus people intending to travel to areas where there has been a recent outbreak of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus see the Global Polio Eradication Initiative website for the current list of affected areas healthcare workers who have been in contact with people who may have had the poliovirus in the past 10 weeks people who are likely to handle laboratory specimens that contain live poliovirus.

Symptoms of polio Polio symptoms generally appear between 3 and 21 days after infection. In mild polio cases, symptoms include: fever tiredness and weakness malaise headache nausea and vomiting muscle stiffness. If the virus spreads to the nervous system, it can cause major illness, such as: encephalitis inflammation of the brain meningitis inflammation of membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord paralysis.

The onset of paralysis is generally quite rapid — usually within 3 to 4 days. Symptoms include: severe muscle pain stiffness of the neck and back — with or without paralysis swallowing and breathing problems death — in severe cases, when breathing and swallowing muscles are paralysed. Paralytic polio can cause long-term disability due to paralysis of the muscles. How polio spreads The poliovirus is spread when food, water or hands that are contaminated with the faeces poo or the throat or nasal secretions of an infected person enter the mouth of an uninfected person.

People who are particularly at risk of infection include: pregnant women the elderly the very young people with a weakened immune system, such as those with HIV. Factors that can increase your risk include: travelling to an area where polio is common or where an outbreak has recently occurred living with or caring for someone who may be currently infected with the poliovirus not being immunised and having contact with someone recently immunised with the oral polio vaccine.

Diagnosis of polio To diagnose polio, a doctor will: take a medical history perform a physical examination for symptoms such as: neck and back stiffness abnormal reflexes swallowing and breathing problems.

Treatment for polio There is no cure for polio. Supportive treatment options include: antibiotics — for secondary infections pain-relieving medication portable ventilators to assist breathing medication to reduce muscle spasms moderate exercise massage physiotherapy heat treatments a nutritious diet.

Symptoms of late effects of polio The most common symptoms include: fatigue decreased strength and muscle endurance pain sleep problems breathing, swallowing or speech difficulties a range of physical symptoms such as scoliosis or joint problems.

PPS is diagnosed on the basis of: new symptoms of pain and weakness, continuing for at least a year medical history — having had a polio infection in the past, with or without paralysis no other clinical explanations for the symptoms known as diagnosis of exclusion. But some people are left with persistent problems. If the breathing muscles are affected, it can be life threatening.

Although polio often passes quickly without causing any other problems, it can sometimes lead to persistent or lifelong difficulties.

A few people with the infection will have some degree of permanent paralysis, and others may be left with problems that require long-term treatment and support. There's also a chance that someone who's had polio in the past will develop similar symptoms again, or worsening of their existing symptoms, many decades later. This is known as post-polio syndrome. You can become infected with the polio virus if you come into contact with the poo faeces of someone with the infection, or with the droplets launched into the air when they cough or sneeze.

You can also get the infection from food or water that's been contaminated with infected poo or droplets. If the virus gets into your mouth, it travels to your throat and bowels, where it starts to multiply.

In some cases, it can also get into the bloodstream and spread to the nervous system. The virus can be spread by someone with the infection from about a week before any symptoms develop, until several weeks afterwards. Infected people who don't have any symptoms can still pass polio on to others. There have been rare cases where polio has been caused by being vaccinated with a live version of the polio virus. This is no longer a risk in the UK because the vaccine used nowadays contains an inactive version of the virus.

As a result of routine vaccination programmes, polio has been largely wiped out in most parts of the world. This includes Europe and the Americas. You can use the country guide on the Travel Health Pro website to check if there's a risk of getting polio in a country you plan to visit. There's currently no cure for polio. Treatment focuses on supporting bodily functions and reducing the risk of long-term problems while the body fights off the infection.

This can include bed rest in hospital, painkillers, breathing support and regular stretches or exercises to prevent problems with the muscles and joints.