polio

Polio (also called poliomyelitis) is a contagious, historically devastating disease that was virtually eliminated from the Western hemisphere in the second half of the 20th century. Although polio has been around since ancient times, its most extensive outbreak occurred in the first half of the 1900s until the polio vaccine was introduced in 1955.

Causes

The poliovirus resides only in humans and enters the environment in the feces of someone who's infected. Poliovirus spreads primarily through the fecal-oral route, especially in areas where sanitation is inadequate.

Poliovirus can be transmitted through contaminated water and food or through direct contact with someone infected with the virus. Polio is so contagious that anyone living with a recently infected person is likely to become infected, too. People carrying the poliovirus can spread the virus for weeks in their feces.

Sign n symptoms

Fever

Sore throat

Headache

Vomiting

Fatigue

Back pain or stiffness

Neck pain or stiffness

Pain or stiffness in the arms or legs

Muscle weakness or tenderness

Meningitis

Vaccinations

currently, most children in the United States receive four doses of inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) at the following ages:

Two months

Four months

Between 6 and 18 months

Between ages 4 and 6 when children are just entering school

IPV is 90 percent effective after two shots and 99 percent effective after three. It can't cause polio and is safe for people with weakened immune systems, although it's not certain just how protective the vaccine may be in cases of severe immune deficiency. Common side effects are pain and redness at the injection site.