Poliomyelitis, often referred to as polio, is a highly infectious viral disease caused by the poliovirus. It primarily affects young children, although it can occur in people of any age.
Transmission
Polio virus lives inside the human body and can be transmitted through coughing, sneezing or feces. When these things are contaminated in food, drinking water or direct contact, the virus can be infected. It travels into the mouth, throat, intestines, through the bloodstream and eventually to the nervous system
Symptoms
Most people infected with the poliovirus do not exhibit symptoms. This is known as asymptomatic infection.
Around 1 in 4 infected people will experience flu-like symptoms, such as fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, and muscle pain
Prevention
The most effective prevention method is vaccination. There are two types of polio vaccines
- Oral Polio Vaccine
- Inactivated Polio Vaccine
