Polio Quick Facts
- Polio is a highly contagious disease caused by the poliovirus. It is most commonly spread via fecal-oral transmission and less commonly via droplets.
- The vast majority of people infected with polio have no symptoms or a non-specific febrile illness. Less than 1% of all polio infections result in the classic “acute flaccid myelitis,” where the patient is left with permanent weakness or paralysis of legs, arms, or both.
- Healthcare providers should suspect paralytic polio if the following is present:
- Acute flaccid limb weakness- note, often asymmetric Proximal muscles affected more than distal muscles
- Low muscle tone
- Decreased or absent reflexes
- The extent of paresis or paralysis is directly related to the extent of neuronal involvement; paralysis occurs if >50% of the neurons supplying the muscles are destroyed.
- If paralytic polio is suspected, a provider should contact the local health department (Rockland County DOH) immediately to coordinate obtaining appropriate specimen collection for testing.
- Vaccination. The best protection against contracting polio is completing the CDC recommended vaccine series of IPV. Children should get four doses one dose at each of the following ages: 2 months old, 4 months old, 6 through 18 months old, and – a booster dose at- 4 through 6 years old.
- It is imperative for providers to stress the importance of vaccination with their patients.
- There is no risk of getting polio from this vaccine, and it is highly effective in producing immunity to poliovirus. Adults who have previously completed a routine series of polio vaccine but are considered at increased risk of exposure to poliovirus and can also receive one lifetime booster dose of IPV.
- Adults who have never been vaccinated against polio should get 3 doses of IPV: the first dose at any time, the second dose 1 to 2 months later, the third dose 6 to 12 months after the second.
Complete Recommendations
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