Public Health

What is poliomyelitis? Poliomyelitis (polio), also known as infantile paralysis, is a very contagious viral disease that can cause paralysis and sometimes death. Polio is still common in some parts of the world. Although there hasn`t been a case of polio caused by the wild virus in the United States since 1979, there is still a risk of the virus coming into this country until polio is eradicated.

Who gets polio and how is it spread? Polio is more common in infants and young children and occurs under poor hygienic conditions. However, paralysis is more common and more severe when infection occurs in older individuals. Polio is predominantly spread through fecal/oral contamination where sanitary conditions are poor. Polio can also be spread by direct exposure to an infected individual.

What are the symptoms of polio and when do they start? Polio symptoms include fever, malaise, headache, nausea, vomiting, and excruciating muscle pain and stiffness in the neck and back. Infection ranges in severity from an unapparent infection to a paralytic disease which may result in death.

How long is polio contagious? The incubation period of polio is usually six to 20 days for paralytic cases, with a range of three to 35 days. Patients are most infectious from seven to 10 days before and after the onset of symptoms. However, patients are potentially contagious as long as the virus is present in the throat and feces. The virus persists in the throat for approximately one week after the onset of illness and is excreted in the feces for several weeks or occasionally months.

Is there a vaccine for polio? Yes. Inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) is currently the vaccine used in the United States. The oral polio vaccine (OPV) is often used in other parts of the world where polio still exists, but it is not recommended for use in the U.S. Currently there is no cure for polio and treatment is limited to supportive care. The single most effective preventive measure of polio is maintaining high levels of polio immunization in the community.

What are the complications of polio? Complications observed with polio include paralysis, mostly of the legs. Paralysis of the muscles of respiration and swallowing can be fatal.

Wyoming Department of Health
2300 Capitol Ave.
Cheyenne WY 82002
(307) 777-7172

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