Polio: what is it, how dangerous is it, how do you get it, and should you vaccinate?

What is polio?

• Polio (also called poliomyelitis or infantile paralysis) is caused by the poliovirus. This virus can cause muscle paralysis.
• The virus responsible for polio is excreted in the feces of infected people.

How do you get polio?

• Infection occurs through water or food contaminated with feces.

Where does polio occur?

• Polio occurs in regions with inadequate drinking water supplies and unsanitary conditions. These are regions in Africa, South America, and Asia.
• Afghanistan and Pakistan are the only remaining polio-endemic countries in the world
• Due to religious beliefs, vaccination is refused in countries such as Nigeria, Niger, Sudan, and Egypt. As a result, polio is becoming increasingly common in these countries.
• Recent outbreaks in various Western countries have often been linked to communities with low vaccination rates.

What are the symptoms of polio?

• Infection with this virus usually does not cause serious symptoms in 95% of cases.
• About 5% of cases experience some general symptoms such as a sore throat, abdominal pain, or nausea.
• Muscle paralysis occurs in less than 1% of infected people. However, if the muscle paralysis is chronic, permanent symptoms can develop, such as muscle weakness (for example, in the respiratory muscles) or deformities (especially in growing children).

How can you prevent polio?

• Polio is linked to poor hygiene and/or contaminated food. So pay close attention to what you eat and drink.
• Some measures may include: drinking only bottled or boiled water, avoiding raw vegetables, (raw) shellfish, crustaceans, or peeled fruit. Also, pay close attention to hygiene when using the toilet.

Is there a vaccination against polio, and what is the treatment?

• There are two vaccines available that are commonly given to children worldwide. A travel vaccination against polio is only required if no polio vaccination was administered during childhood.
• In the Netherlands, the DTP vaccination is most commonly administered. This combination vaccine provides very effective protection against diphtheria, tetanus, and polio. After a complete series, you are permanently vaccinated against polio. For diphtheria and tetanus, the treatment lasts for ten years.
• There is no official treatment for polio. Medication often focuses on relieving symptoms, such as pain relief.